The Federal High Court will resume its regular activities on Tuesday following its annual vacation. This break began on July 23 and was initially planned to end on September 13. However, due to the recent public holiday declared by the Federal Government to celebrate Eid-ul-Maulud, the court’s official reopening has been shifted to Tuesday.
Dr. Catherine Oby-Christopher, the Assistant Director of Information and ICT at the Federal High Court, communicated this information in a statement issued on July 11. She revealed that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, had announced the commencement of the court’s annual vacation.
According to the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, specifically Order 46, Rule 4 (d), the Chief Judge’s announcement detailed the schedule for the court’s annual break. This year’s vacation started on July 23 and is set to conclude on September 13, 2024. Regular court sessions will resume on September 16, 2024. This annual break is designed to allow judges a period of rest and recovery, helping them to recharge and prepare for the challenges and responsibilities of the upcoming legal year.
During this vacation period, normal court activities are paused to give judges and court staff a chance to rest and to ensure that they are well-prepared for the new legal year. The break is an important part of maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of the court system.
For matters that require immediate attention and cannot wait until the court’s regular sessions resume, the Federal High Court has arranged for special coverage. During the vacation period, litigants with urgent issues can approach the court’s divisions in Abuja, Lagos, and Port-Harcourt.
In the Abuja division, Justice Emeka Nwite and Justice Peter Lifu have been appointed as vacation judges. In Lagos, Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Isaac Dipeolu will be handling urgent matters. For the Port-Harcourt division, Justice A. T. Mohammed and Justice P. M. Ayua will be available to address any pressing issues that arise.
These vacation judges are tasked with ensuring that urgent cases are addressed promptly, maintaining the continuity of judicial services even while the court is officially on break. Their role is crucial in preventing delays in the legal process for cases that cannot be postponed.
The annual vacation is a well-established tradition within the Federal High Court system, reflecting a balance between the need for judicial rest and the commitment to addressing urgent legal matters. As the court gears up to resume full operations, the judiciary looks forward to a productive new legal year, equipped with renewed energy and focus.
