The Federal High Court has announced its Christmas vacation dates for 2026, with regular court proceedings scheduled to resume in January 2027.
The Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, approved the vacation arrangements on Monday, November 9, 2026, alongside the list of judges who will handle urgent cases during the break.
According to a statement signed by the court’s Director of Information, Dr Catherine Oby Christopher, and released in Abuja on Monday, the vacation will begin on Monday, December 21, 2026, and end on Tuesday, January 5, 2027. Regular sittings will resume on Wednesday, January 6, 2027.
The arrangement was made in line with Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019. The court said only designated judicial divisions would remain operational throughout the holiday period to provide essential services to litigants.
However, the vacation judges will not handle routine cases. Their responsibilities will be limited to urgent matters, including the enforcement of fundamental human rights, the arrest or release of vessels and other issues of pressing national importance, particularly the trial of pre election cases.
The court has also released the names of judges assigned to its designated divisions during the vacation.
In Abuja, Justices I. E. Ekwo and O. A. Egwuatu will be available to handle cases.
For the Lagos Division, the designated judges are Justices Akintayo Aluko and Ogazi F. Nkemakonam.
In Port Harcourt, Justices P. M. Ayua and A. T. Mohammed will preside over urgent matters, while Justices F. O. G. Ogunbanjo and M. T. Segun Bello have been assigned to the Enugu Division.
The statement also conveyed the Chief Judge’s Christmas and New Year wishes to all judges and members of the court, wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous year ahead.
