The Federal High Court has announced that its annual Christmas vacation will begin on December 19, with sitting in all judicial divisions scheduled to resume on January 7, 2026.
Naijaonpoint reports that the vacation schedule was made public in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the court’s Director of Information, Dr Catherine Christopher, who explained that the notice was issued in line with a circular authorised by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.
Christopher said the announcement was contained in a document titled “Notice of 2025 Christmas Vacation and Roster for Vacation Judges,” which outlined the operational framework for the holiday period.
She stated that the schedule complied with Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended).
According to her, “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. Court sittings shall resume in all Judicial Divisions on Jan. 7, 2026.”
She added that during the break, the core judicial divisions—Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt—will remain operational and accessible to litigants and members of the public.
The court clarified that only specific categories of matters would be entertained during the vacation period.
These include applications relating to the enforcement of fundamental rights, cases involving the arrest or release of vessels, and issues considered to be of urgent national importance.
Christopher emphasised that the vacation judges assigned to each division would handle these limited matters, ensuring that essential judicial activities are not disrupted during the holiday period.
Roster of Vacation Judges Across Divisions
- For the Abuja Division, Justice Emeka Nwite and Justice Musa Liman will preside over vacation matters.
- In the Lagos Division, Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Isaac Dipeolu will sit throughout the break.
- For the Port Harcourt Division, the judges assigned are Justice P. M. Ayua and Justice A. T. Mohammed.
- At the Enugu Division, Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo will serve as the vacation judge.
The list, she explained, was approved by the Chief Judge to ensure seamless handling of essential cases while the rest of the court proceeds on recess.
Christopher also conveyed the Chief Judge’s goodwill message to the judiciary, noting that Justice Tsoho extended his “warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all Honourable Judges.”
She added that the period offers an opportunity for judicial officers and staff to take a well-deserved break after the year’s workload, while ensuring that key services remain available to Nigerians.
As is typical during the festive season, several federal ministries, departments and agencies are expected to adjust schedules, reduce activities or partially close as workers observe public holidays and year-end breaks.
Institutions, however, are still required to maintain essential services throughout the period.
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