Federal High Court Begins Annual Vacation July 27

Steve Aya

The Federal High Court will commence its 2026 annual vacation on Monday, July 27, with judicial activities across its divisions expected to resume on Friday, September 11, following the approval of the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho. The annual break is in accordance with the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4(d) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

 A statement issued by the Director of Information, ICT and Protocol of the court, Dr Catherine Oby Christopher, said the vacation is intended to give Judges the opportunity to rest and adequately prepare for the responsibilities of the new legal year. Despite the recess, the court said judicial services would continue in urgent matters through designated vacation courts.

 According to the statement, the Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Enugu Judicial Divisions will remain operational throughout the vacation, to hear cases requiring immediate judicial attention. Legal practitioners and members of the public, were advised to file and prosecute only urgent matters at the designated vacation courts nearest to them.

 For the Abuja Judicial Division, Justices Emeka Nwite and O. A. Egwuatu have been designated as vacation Judges. In Lagos, Justices Akintayo Aluko and Ogazi F. Nkemakonam will preside over urgent cases brought before the court during the vacation period.

 Similarly, Justices Phoebe M. Ayua and Adamu T. Mohammed have been assigned to sit in the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, while Justices F. O. G. Ogunbanjo and Mabel T. Segun-Bello will handle urgent matters in the Enugu Judicial Division. The designated Judges are expected to ensure that cases requiring immediate judicial intervention, are not delayed by the court’s annual recess.

 The Federal High Court explained that only matters of extreme urgency, including applications involving the enforcement of fundamental rights and other time-sensitive cases within the jurisdiction of the court, would be entertained during the vacation. Litigants were advised to take advantage of the designated vacation courts, where necessary.

 Justice Tsoho wished his brother Judges a pleasant annual vacation, and expressed confidence that the recess would enable them to return refreshed for the commencement of the new legal year. The court reiterated its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to justice through the designated vacation courts, during the period