“Regular Court Sittings Shall Resume January 6” — FHC Chief Judge Tsoho Announces Christmas Vacation, Names Eight Judges

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), Justice John Tsoho, has appointed eight vacation judges across four judicial divisions nationwide for the 2026 Christmas and New Year vacation.

Justice Tsoho, who announced this in a statement signed by the court’s Director of Information, Mrs. Catherine Oby-Christopher, said the vacation would commence on December 21, 2026, and end on January 5, 2027, while regular court sittings would resume on January 6, 2027.

“Pursuant to the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court has approved the Christmas Vacation of the Court for the year 2026 and the roster of Judges designated to sit during the vacation period.

“Regular court sittings shall resume on Jan. 6,” the statement said.

According to the Chief Judge, only designated judicial divisions will remain operational during the vacation to provide essential judicial services to the litigating public.

Justice Tsoho appointed Justices Inyang Ekwo and Obiora Egwuatu as vacation judges for the Abuja Judicial Division, while Justices Akintayo Aluko and Ogazi Nkemakonam will sit in the Lagos Judicial Division.

For the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, Justices P. M. Ayua and A. T. Mohammed were designated to preside over urgent matters during the vacation.

Similarly, Justices Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo and M. T. Segun-Bello will serve as vacation judges in the Enugu Judicial Division.

The Chief Judge explained that the designated judges would entertain only matters involving the enforcement of fundamental rights, the arrest or release of vessels, and other cases of urgent national importance, including pre-election matters.

“It is important to note that, during the vacation period, the vacation judges shall entertain only matters relating to the enforcement of fundamental rights, the arrest or release of vessels, and other matters of urgent national importance such as trial of pre-election cases,” the statement said.

Justice Tsoho wished all judges and members of the Federal High Court a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance.

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