Federal High Court Announces 2026 Christmas Vacation, Names Judges for Holiday Duties

The Federal High Court of Nigeria has announced that its 2026 Christmas vacation will commence on Monday, December 21, 2026, and end on Tuesday, January 5, 2027.

The Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, approved the vacation schedule and designated judges who will handle urgent judicial matters during the holiday period.

According to a press release signed by the Director of Information of the Federal High Court, Dr Catherine Oby Christopher, on November 9, regular court sittings will resume on Wednesday, January 6, 2027.

The notice was issued pursuant to Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

During the vacation, only designated judicial divisions will remain operational to provide essential judicial services to members of the public.

The court explained that vacation judges would entertain only specific categories of cases, including applications for the enforcement of fundamental human rights, matters relating to the arrest or release of vessels, and other issues of urgent national importance.

Such matters will also include the trial of pre-election cases.

For the Abuja Judicial Division, Justices I. E. Ekwo and O. A. Egwuatu have been designated to sit during the vacation.

The Lagos Judicial Division will be handled by Justices Akintayo Aluko and Ogazi F. Nkemakonam, while Justices P. M. Ayua and A. T. Mohammed will serve in the Port Harcourt Judicial Division.

In the Enugu Judicial Division, Justices F. O. G. Ogunbanjo and M. T. Segun-Bello have been assigned vacation duties.

The Chief Judge wished judges and members of the court a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year ahead.

The annual vacation arrangement provides for the continued handling of urgent judicial matters while regular court activities are suspended for the festive period.