The Federal High Court has fixed December 21, 2026, as the beginning of its Christmas vacation, directing that regular court sittings will resume on January 6, 2027.
The vacation, approved by the Chief Judge, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, will run until January 5, 2027, with selected judges assigned to handle urgent cases during the break.
The Federal High Court disclosed this in a notice signed by its Director of Information, Dr Catherine Oby Christopher, and dated November 9, 2026.
The notice said the arrangement was made in accordance with Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.
Despite the suspension of regular sittings, the court explained that some judicial divisions would remain open to attend to cases requiring immediate intervention.
However, the vacation judges will not handle ordinary cases. Their responsibilities will be limited to applications involving the enforcement of fundamental human rights, the arrest or release of vessels and other matters considered to be of urgent national importance.
The court specifically included the trial of pre-election cases among the matters that may be heard during the vacation.
Four judicial divisions have been selected for the special arrangement, with two judges assigned to each division.
In Abuja, Justices I. E. Ekwo and O. A. Egwuatu will sit during the vacation, while Justices Akintayo Aluko and Ogazi F. Nkemakonam have been designated for the Lagos Division.
The Port Harcourt Division will be served by Justices P. M. Ayua and A. T. Mohammed, while Justices F. O. G. Ogunbanjo and M. T. Segun-Bello will handle urgent matters in Enugu.
The arrangement is intended to maintain access to justice for litigants whose cases cannot wait until the end of the holiday period.
The Chief Judge also wished judges and other members of the court a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year ahead of the festive season.
Regular proceedings across the Federal High Court are expected to return on Wednesday, January 6, 2027.