The Federal High Court of Nigeria has officially announced the schedule for its upcoming Christmas vacation, marking a temporary halt to regular court proceedings across the nation.
Vacation Schedule and Resumption Date
According to a statement released by the court's Director of Information, Mrs. Catherine Oby Christopher, all judges of the Federal High Court will commence their Christmas vacation on Friday, December 19, 2025. The break is a customary annual event for the judiciary.
The statement confirmed that normal court sittings will resume in all Judicial Divisions of the country on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. This schedule was issued in accordance with Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended).
Operational Divisions and Specified Urgent Matters
During the vacation period, the court will not shut down completely. The core judicial divisions located in Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt will remain operational to serve the litigating public.
However, these vacation courts will only entertain specific categories of urgent cases. The matters that will be heard include:
- Cases pertaining to the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
- Matters involving the arrest or release of vessels.
- Issues considered to be of urgent national importance.
Roster of Designated Vacation Judges
The Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, has approved a roster of judges who will serve during the holiday period to handle these urgent cases.
The appointed vacation judges for each division are:
- Abuja Division: Justices Emeka Nwite and Mohammed S. Liman.
- Lagos Division: Justices Akintayo Aluko and Isaac D. Dipeolu.
- Port Harcourt Division: Justices P. M. Ayua and A.T. Mohammed.
- Enugu Division: Justice Folasade Ogunbanjo.
In his concluding remarks, Chief Judge Justice John Tsoho extended warm seasonal greetings, wishing all his brother judges a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
