Nigerian Federal High Court Announces Annual Vacation Starting July 28
The Federal High Court (FHC) of Nigeria has announced its annual vacation for the year 2025. The vacation period is scheduled to commence on Monday, July 28, 2025, and will conclude on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Normal court sittings are expected to resume on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. This information was formally communicated through an official circular by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, and further detailed in a statement by the FHC’s Director of Information, Dr. Catherine Oby Christopher.
The annual vacation is being observed in accordance with the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4(d) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019. This rule allows for the court to observe an annual recess, ensuring judges have a period of rest while maintaining essential services.
During this vacation period, the court will not be entirely closed. To address matters of "extreme urgency," three key judicial divisions will remain operational. These divisions are Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt. Members of the public and legal practitioners with pressing legal matters are advised to approach the nearest of these three courts for relief during the recess.
To facilitate the handling of urgent cases in these designated divisions, specific vacation judges have been assigned. In the Abuja division, Justice Emeka Nwite and Justice M. S. Liman will be on duty. The Lagos division will be served by Justice Deinde I. Dipeolu and Justice Musa Kakaki. For the Port Harcourt division, Justice P. M. Ayua and Justice A. T. Mohammed will be available to preside over urgent matters.
The court, through its Director of Information, Dr. Catherine Oby Christopher, has reiterated that all urgent applications should be directed to these designated divisions and judges during the vacation. This arrangement ensures that access to justice for critical issues remains uninterrupted.
Concluding the announcement, Chief Judge John Tsoho extended his warm wishes to all judges of the Federal High Court, hoping they have a restful and pleasant vacation period.
