Federal High Court Chief Judge Justice John Tsoho has officially amended the 2026 Pre-Election Practice Directions, introducing virtual hearings and weekend registry filings.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, has officially issued the newly amended 2026 Pre-Election Practice Directions.
This vital regulatory modification adjusts the initial practice directions that were first put into effect on June 26, 2026, creating a highly modernized and legally fortified framework.
The Director of Information for the Federal High Court, Dr. Catherine Oby Christopher, made the public announcement on Wednesday in Abuja, highlighting that the critical updates are aimed at guaranteeing rapid, efficient, and exceptionally fair hearings for pre-election lawsuits leading up to the 2027 general elections.
The Chief Judge enacted the amended practice guidelines pursuant to his constitutional powers outlined under Sections 254 and 285 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as well as enabling provisions within Sections 29 and 88 of the Electoral Act of 2026.
The primary focus of these revised rules is to eliminate unnecessary delays and procedural bottlenecks that have historically plagued political litigation in Nigeria. By aligning the court’s daily operations with the strict timelines mandated by the Constitution and local electoral laws, the judiciary intends to prevent a backlog of cases from stalling the democratic process.
Among the most revolutionary modifications introduced in the amendment is the formal empowerment of judges to conduct virtual court hearings.
This technological integration will allow legal proceedings to take place remotely, ensuring that logistical constraints do not delay crucial rulings. Additionally, the Chief Judge now holds the explicit authority to strategically transfer active pre-election cases across various judicial divisions to ensure balanced workloads and unbiased adjudications.
To accommodate tight filing windows, the court has also ordered its registries to remain open on weekends and public holidays specifically for receiving election-related suits. Furthermore, strict limits have been placed on adjournments, and the court is now empowered to award heavy costs against any legal counsel or political party filing frivolous applications deliberately designed to delay proceedings.
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