Federal High Court announces two-week Christmas/New Year break, appoints vacation judges

Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, has announced a two-week Yuletide break starting from 21 December appointed vacation judges who will attend to emergency cases during the period.

Justice Tsoho, who announced this in a statement signed by Catherine Oby-Christopher, the Director of Information of the court, said the vacation begins on 21 December and ends on 5 January. “Pursuant to the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil ) Procedure Rules, 2019, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court has approved the Christmas Vacation of the Court for the year 2026 and the roster of Judges designated to sit during the vacation period.

“Regular court sittings shall resume on 6 January,” the chief judge said.

The chief judge only the designated judicial divisions shall remain operational during the vacation to provide judicial services to the litigating public.

He said Justice Inyang Ekwo and Justice Obiora Egwuatu will sit as vacation judges for the Abuja division while Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Ogazi Nkemakonam will sit at the Lagos division.

He also said Justice P. M. Ayua and Justice A. T. Mohammed will sit at Port Harcourt division while Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo and Justice M. T. Segun-Bello will sit at the Enugu judicial division.

“It is important to note that, during the vacation period, the vacation judges shall entertain only matters relating to the enforcement of fundamental rights, the arrest or release of vessels, and other matters of urgent national importance such as trial of pre- election cases,” Mr Tsoho said.

The chief judge wished all judges and members of the court a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance.