Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) commenced a three-day boycott of courts in Ogun State on Monday, July 6, 2026, paralyzing judicial activities across Abeokuta, Ota, and Sagamu.
Legal practitioners launched the protest against newly introduced judiciary policies, including a ₦100,000 virtual hearing fee and administrative charge increases, which they argue restrict access to justice.
The industrial action affects proceedings across multiple tiers of the justice system, including the High Court, Customary Court of Appeal, Magistrates’ Courts, and Customary Courts.
Protesting lawyers stated that the revised fees impose excessive financial burdens on litigants and severely limit legal representation.
NBA Leadership Details Grievances
NBA Abeokuta Branch Chairman Kayode Aderemi explained that the local branches exhausted all administrative channels before executing the resolution.
“We are here today because members of our branch, by resolution at our branch meeting, resolved to embark on a three-day court boycott, beginning today, 6th July 2026, through 8th July 2026,” Aderemi said.
Aderemi noted that the state judiciary implemented several unfavorable rules without addressing the direct feedback and complaints raised by legal practitioners and their clients.
“The boycott is in protest against certain policies of the Ogun State Judiciary, which we believe are inimical to the interests of our members, first, the payment of a ₦100,000 virtual hearing fee,” he said.
The policy changes also affected baseline services, raising the cost of basic documentation by approximately 650 percent.
“Second, the increase in the oath administration fee from ₦200 to over ₦1,500.
Our clients have complained about this increase, and it has also affected legal practitioners,” Aderemi added.
Furthermore, the legal association challenged new operational restrictions that cap daily filings, creating significant procedural bottlenecks for complex cases.
“Third, there is the issue of restrictions placed on lawyers.
As it stands today, lawyers cannot process more than four witness oaths in a single day,” Aderemi said.
The NBA leadership maintained that the cumulative effect of these restrictions severely disrupts their professional duties and hurts low-income citizens.
“We believe this policy unjustifiably limits the ability of lawyers to carry out their professional duties,” Aderemi said.
The branch chairman confirmed that all relevant administrative entities within the regional legal hierarchy were informed of the deep-seated grievances before the strike commenced.
“Yes, absolutely. We have done everything reasonably expected of us; for instance, we have written formally as a branch.
Other NBA branches in Ogun State have also written on these issues,” Aderemi said.
Despite bringing these matters before senior judicial officers repeatedly, the legal union received no actionable response, prompting the three-day shutdown.
“Beyond that, we have raised these concerns during the Bar and Bench Meetings, where branch chairmen, branch secretaries, administrative judges, and the Chief Judge are all present,” Aderemi said.
Aderemi emphasized that the legal community utilized multiple layers of mediation, including direct interventions by senior advocates, but failed to reach a resolution.
“In addition, respected senior members of the Bar have approached Their Lordships in an effort to resolve these issues.
Unfortunately, all these efforts have proved unsuccessful,” he said.
The three participating branches observed widespread compliance, leaving numerous out-of-state lawyers and local litigants stranded outside the closed courtrooms.
“To the best of my knowledge, the boycott is being observed by the NBA Abeokuta Branch, the NBA Ota Branch, and the NBA Sagamu Branch,” Aderemi said.
The NBA monitored the main judicial facilities at Isabo and Kobape, reporting that local legal practitioners fully supported the collective action.
“From our observations, a few lawyers from outside the jurisdiction may not have been aware of the boycott.
However, among lawyers within our jurisdiction, we have recorded almost 100% compliance,” Aderemi said.
Judiciary Responds to Boycott
Responding to the strike, the Chief Registrar of the Ogun State High Court, Oke-Olakunlehin Lukmon, claimed that the administration received no formal notification regarding the boycott.
“Officially, we have not been informed.
As I speak, there has been no official communication from any branch of the Nigerian Bar Association notifying us of any courts’ boycott,” Lukmon said.
The registrar defended the judicial reforms, stating that draft copies of the High Court of Ogun State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2024 were sent to all five local NBA branches for review prior to enactment, but received minimal feedback.
“We became aware of the boycott the same way many others did—through social media,” Lukmon said.
Lukmon clarified that the virtual hearing framework remains entirely optional and was established to accommodate international witnesses and reduce travel expenses.
“The lawyers stated in their press release that the cost of virtual hearings is prohibitive.
However, before the High Court of Ogun State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2024, which introduced virtual hearings, came into force, draft copies were circulated to all five branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in Ogun State,” he said.
The registry noted that most local NBA chapters did not participate in the initial consultative stages before the digital guidelines were formalized.
“Unfortunately, four of the five branches did not respond. The only branch that did respond merely pointed out a few typographical errors,” Lukmon said.
The state high court administration emphasized that physical court attendance remains available for any litigant who prefers traditional proceedings.
“It is important to note that virtual hearings are not mandatory.
They are optional and intended for situations where, for one reason or another, witnesses cannot physically appear in court,” Lukmon said.
The registry stated that infrastructure development requires significant financial backing, noting that the technology has successfully optimized long-distance litigation.
“Technology comes with costs. Establishing, maintaining, and operating virtual court facilities requires significant investment.
Since the introduction of these provisions, virtual courtrooms have been installed in nine of the eleven judicial divisions in Ogun State, and more than 600 virtual hearings have been successfully conducted,” Lukmon said.
According to the judiciary management, the technological updates prevent unnecessary travel waste when unforeseen scheduling conflicts disrupt court sessions.
“Many litigants have already benefited from this innovation. We have had witnesses testify from countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States,” Lukmon said.
The registrar reiterated that the digital infrastructure serves as an alternative method designed to enhance systemic efficiency rather than replace physical options.
“If those witnesses were required to travel physically to Nigeria, the cost would be substantial.
Furthermore, if the court is unable to sit on a scheduled date due to unforeseen circumstances, such travel expenses would be wasted,” Lukmon said.
The High Court administration maintained that traditional physical filings face no new obstacles under the revised rules framework.
“Again, I must emphasise that virtual hearings are entirely optional. Litigants who prefer the traditional method of attending court physically are free to do so,” Lukmon said.
Lukmon also highlighted that prior to introducing the electronic affidavit system, known as the OgunComis platform, the judiciary faced severe administrative challenges regarding document integrity.
“Before the introduction of the OgunComis platform—popularly known as the electronic affidavit system—we experienced significant challenges.
Affidavits could not easily be verified. Forgery had become widespread, and corruption had become deeply entrenched in the administration of oaths,” Lukmon said.
The increased affidavit fees fund partnership operations with a private technology firm tasked with digitalizing the oath system, a reform strategy that the registrar stated aligns with similar frameworks utilized in Lagos, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory.
