From N2,500, Benue lawyers to start charging N10,000 per court appearance

Legal practitioners across Benue State will now charge a minimum of N10,000 per court appearance, effective January 1, 2024, according to a directive from the chief judge of the state, Maurice A. Ikpambese.

In a letter addressed to the chairman of the Makurdi branch of the Nigerian Bar Association earlier this month, Mr Ikpambese disclosed that the upward review would help guarantee fair compensation for lawyers across the state.

“The adjustment aims to ensure fair compensation for legal practitioners in our jurisdiction and will apply uniformly across all courts in Benue State,” the directive, signed on November 10, said.

The directive comes against the backdrop of a complaint lodged to the office of the chief judge in May, which essentially bemoaned the remuneration of lawyers in the jurisdiction per the existing fee regulations.

Several factors were considered in setting the new benchmark, which includes the welfare of lawyers and citizens’ access to legal representation.