Judicial activities across parts of Ogun State have been brought to a halt as members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) commence a three-day boycott of court proceedings in protest against certain policies of the state judiciary.
Courts in Abeokuta, Ota, and Sagamu were affected by the industrial action, which began on July 6, 2026, and is expected to last until July 8.
Speaking on the development, the Chairman of the NBA branch, Kayode Aderemi, said the boycott followed a resolution by members at a branch meeting over what they described as policies that are “inimical to the interests of legal practitioners.”
Among the key grievances raised by the association is the introduction of a ₦100,000 fee for virtual hearings, which lawyers say places a financial burden on litigants seeking remote court sessions.
The NBA also criticised the increase in oath administration fees from ₦200 to over ₦1,500, as well as restrictions limiting lawyers to processing no more than four general witness oaths per day, describing the policy as an impediment to effective legal practice.
According to Aderemi, several engagements have been held with the judiciary through formal correspondence and Bar and Bench meetings, but the concerns remain unresolved, leading to the decision to withdraw court appearances during the period.
However, the Ogun State judiciary says it was not officially notified of the boycott. The Chief Registrar of the High Court, Oke-Olakunlehin Lukmon, stated that the judiciary only became aware of the action through social media.
He noted that stakeholders were previously consulted during the drafting of the Ogun State High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2024, which introduced provisions for virtual hearings, adding that the process was designed to improve efficiency, access to justice, and reduce litigation costs.
As the boycott continues, court activities across the affected jurisdictions remain largely paralysed, with both parties maintaining differing positions on the reforms and their implementation.
