Federal High Court Sets 2026 Christmas Recess and Names Vacation Judges

The Federal High Court of Nigeria will observe its Christmas vacation from Monday, December 21, 2026, through Tuesday, January 5, 2027, with normal court sessions set to restart on Wednesday, January 6. According to a Monday, November 9 statement from the court’s Director of Information, Dr Catherine Christopher, Chief Judge John Terhemba Tsoho authorized the recess in line with Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019. During the break, proceedings will be held in only four judicial divisions, where urgent matters will be heard. Christopher said vacation judges would limit their dockets to fundamental-rights enforcement, the arrest or release of vessels, and other urgent national issues, including pre-election cases. In Abuja, Justices I. E. Ekwo and O. A. Egwuatu will preside; Justices Akintayo Aluko and Ogazi F. Nkemakonam will sit in Lagos; Justices P. M. Ayua and A. T. Mohammed will handle Port Harcourt; and Justices F. O. G. Ogunbanjo and M. T. Segun-Bello will sit in Enugu. The chief judge extended Christmas and New Year wishes to judges and other court members.