The Federal High Court will begin its 2025 Christmas vacation on December 19, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the court’s Director of Information, Dr. Catherine Christopher, announced that sittings across all judicial divisions would resume on January 7, 2026.
The statement, titled “Notice of 2025 Christmas Vacation and Roster for Vacation Judges,” noted that the schedule followed a circular duly signed by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.
It reads, “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 for the year 2025 on Dec. 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 Jan. 7, 2026.
“During the vacation, the core judicial divisions — Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt — will remain operational and accessible to the litigating public.”
Christopher added that only matters concerning the enforcement of fundamental rights, the arrest or release of vessels, and issues requiring urgent national attention would be handled by vacation judges.
For the Abuja Division, Justice Emeka Nwite and Justice Musa Liman are designated as vacation judges. In Lagos, Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Isaac Dipeolu will preside.
At the Port Harcourt Division, Justice P. M. Ayua and Justice A. T. Mohammed will be on duty, while in the Enugu Division, Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo will serve as the vacation judge.
“The Honourable Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, KSS, OFR, FCIArb. (UK), extends his warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all Honourable Judges,” she concluded.
The Christmas and New Year period typically sees many federal ministries, departments, and agencies scale down operations, adjust work schedules, or take brief breaks, while ensuring essential services continue.
(NAN)