Federal High Court Announces Christmas Vacation Schedule

The Federal High Court (FHC) will begin its annual Christmas recess on December 19. This period of vacation will lead to a temporary adjournment of regular court sittings.

The court’s Director of Information, Dr. Catherine Christopher, released a statement in Abuja on Monday. She confirmed that court proceedings in all judicial divisions will officially resume on January 7, 2026.

Key Dates and Legal Authority

The announcement, titled “Notice of 2025 Christmas Vacation and Roster for Vacation Judges,” was issued under the authority of the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.

• Vacation Start: December 19, 2025

• Resumption Date: January 7, 2026

This vacation schedule is issued in accordance with Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended).

Operational Divisions and Essential Matters

During the recess, the court has ensured that core judicial divisions will remain operational and accessible to the litigating public. These vital divisions are Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt.

The vacation judges assigned to sit during this period will entertain only specific urgent matters. These matters include:

• Enforcement of fundamental rights.

• Issues related to the arrest or release of vessels.

• Issues of urgent national importance.

Roster of Vacation Judges

Dr. Christopher provided the full roster of judges assigned to manage urgent cases across the operational divisions:

• Abuja Division: Justice Emeka Nwite and Justice Musa Liman.

• Lagos Division: Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Isaac Dipeolu.

• Port Harcourt Division: Justice P. M. Ayua and Justice A. T. Mohammed.

• Enugu Judicial Division: Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo.

The Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, KSS, OFR, FCIArb. (UK), extended warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all Judges.

This annual practice allows institutions to manage reduced activity during the holidays while ensuring that essential judicial services remain continuously available.

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