The Federal High Court of Nigeria has announced that it will begin its Christmas vacation on December 21, 2026, and resume regular sittings on January 6, 2027. This was disclosed by the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, in a statement signed by the Director of Information, Catherine Oby-Christopher. The vacation is in accordance with Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil) Procedure Rules, 2019.
During the vacation period, designated judges will remain on duty in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Enugu to attend to urgent cases. These judges include Justices Inyang Ekwo and Obiora Egwuatu for the Abuja division, Justices Akintayo Aluko and Ogazi Nkemakonam for the Lagos division, Justices P. M. Ayua and A. T. Mohammed for the Port Harcourt division, and Justices Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo and M. T. Segun-Bello for the Enugu division.
The designated vacation judges will only entertain cases involving the enforcement of fundamental rights, the arrest or release of vessels, and other matters of urgent national importance, including pre-election cases. This is to ensure that litigants continue to have access to judicial services during the vacation period. The Chief Judge emphasized that only designated judicial divisions would remain operational during the break.
The Federal High Court's decision to go on vacation is a routine practice, allowing judges and court staff to take a break while ensuring that urgent cases are still attended to. The court's Christmas vacation is a yearly tradition, and the designated judges will play a crucial role in providing judicial services during this period.
The Chief Judge's announcement is in line with the court's rules and procedures, which provide for the court to take a break during the Christmas period. The court's vacation period is also an opportunity for judges and court staff to recharge and prepare for the new year.
The Federal High Court has a significant role in the Nigerian judicial system, handling a wide range of cases, including commercial, maritime, and constitutional matters. The court's decision to designate specific judges to handle urgent cases during the vacation period ensures that litigants continue to have access to justice.
The court's Christmas vacation will end on January 6, 2027, when regular court sittings will resume. Litigants and court users are advised to take note of the vacation period and plan accordingly. The Federal High Court's announcement is a reminder of the court's commitment to providing judicial services to the public, even during the holiday season.
Key points
- Designated judges will handle urgent cases in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Enugu during the vacation period.
- The vacation judges will only entertain cases involving fundamental rights, vessel arrest or release, and other urgent national importance matters.
- Regular court sittings will resume on January 6, 2027.
Reporting sources
- The Guardian · The Guardian
