Judges' Vacation: Only Urgent Matters to be Heard, Says Federal High Court, Sets 2025 Christmas Vacation from December 19 to January 7
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that as the festive period is coming, the Federal High Court has announced that its 2025 Christmas vacation will commence on December 19, with court sittings across all judicial divisions set to resume on January 7, 2026.
OTN News further reports that, the new development was disclosed in a statement issued by the court’s Director of Information, (CDI), Dr. Catherine Christopher, in Abuja.
The CDI said that, the notice was issued in line with a circular signed by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.
The statement, titled “Notice of 2025 Christmas Vacation and Roster for Vacation Judges,” outlined the court’s vacation plans and designated vacation judges.
According to the statement, “the Federal High Court hereby issues notice of its 2025 Christmas Vacation as well as the approved roster of Vacation Judges.
“The court will commence its Christmas Vacation on December 19. This vacation schedule is issued pursuant to Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended). Court sittings shall resume in all Judicial Divisions on January 7, 2026."
"During the vacation, the core judicial divisions — Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt — will remain operational and accessible to the litigating public.” the statement added.
Furthermore, Dr. Christopher noted that only cases relating to the enforcement of fundamental rights, the arrest or release of vessels, and matters of urgent national importance will be entertained during the vacation period.
The statement, however, detailed the roster of vacation judges: Justice Emeka Nwite and Justice Musa Liman will preside in Abuja; Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Isaac Dipeolu in Lagos; Justice P. M. Ayua and Justice A. T. Mohammed in Port Harcourt; and Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo in Enugu.
Chief Judge Justice John Tsoho extended warm wishes to all judges, saying, “Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all Honourable Judges.”
OTN News, however, observes that, the announcement comes as many federal ministries, departments, and agencies typically scale down activities during the Christmas and New Year period, operating reduced schedules while ensuring essential services remain available.
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