Lagos judiciary introduces N30,000 fee for virtual court proceedings

The Lagos State judiciary has implemented a new policy requiring a fee of N30,000 per session for all remote or virtual court proceedings across the state, effective from April 1st.

The decision, outlined in a circular issued by the Acting Chief Registrar of the state, Mr. Tajudeen Elias, on March 28th, aims to streamline virtual court processes.

According to the circular, any requests for virtual hearings must be formally submitted to the court handling the case. Upon approval, the designated Assistant Chief Registrar of Litigation in Ikeja or Lagos will schedule the hearing upon receipt of the payment.

“No other office or officer is authorised to conduct or schedule cases for virtual proceedings in the High and Magistrate Courts of Lagos State.

“The First Hightower Infotech Ltd. (FHTI) will continue to provide internet access and service for the courts where they currently offer such services.

“Court registrars are directed to ensure strict compliance with the circular,” it said.

Commenting on the development, the Managing Director of Global T & T New Solutions Ltd., Mr Musbau Famuyiwa, told newsmen that the virtual hearing became popular in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Global T&T partnered the Lagos State Ministry of Justice on virtual court proceedings.

Famuyiwa said virtual hearing was a means to ensure the continuity of court operations while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

He said  that  the virtual hearing had been free from inception and its usage started since the beginning of COVID-19  to attend to pressing cases.

He said that the payment of the fee would make the virtual hearing more effective by scaling it up to aid the justice system.

He said, “In terms of scaling it up, the judiciary does not have the capacity and infrastructural development, that is why Global T& T is involved to help achieve the goal.

“If the judiciary finds a third party to fill in that gap to provide this service, it will go a long way.

“Imagine someone coming from Port-Harcourt to attend a matter in Lagos, you know how expensive that is but if such a person can join virtually, it will dramatically reduce the cost.

“Also, imagine a witness flying down from outside the country to give evidence when he can easily pay the sum of N30,000 to avoid flight tickets and other expenses.”

He reiterated that the court was not forcing anyone to pay the fee or make use of virtual hearing.

“People are already tapping into this service but the court is not forcing anyone to use the virtual hearing.

“The virtual hearing has also been extended to all magistrate courts in the state.

“The service charge of N30,000 is going to our company’s purse,” he said.