Federal High Court Christmas Vacation Begins Dec. 19 as Judiciary Sets 2026 Resumption Date
The Federal High Court Christmas Vacation will officially start on December 19, 2025, according to a notice issued in Abuja by Dr Catherine Christopher. The court will reopen on January 7, 2026, with Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt divisions remaining operational for urgent matters. The Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, approved a roster of vacation judges across divisions to handle fundamental rights enforcement, vessel-related cases, and issues of urgent national importance. The announcement ensures uninterrupted judicial access during the Federal High Court Christmas Vacation period while extending seasonal goodwill to judges and litigants.
The Federal High Court Christmas Vacation will officially commence on December 19, 2025, marking the annual break in the court’s schedule as announced by the Director of Information, Dr Catherine Christopher. According to her statement released in Abuja, full court sittings across all judicial divisions will resume on January 7, 2026, ensuring that the Federal High Court Christmas Vacation does not interrupt essential judicial services.
Christopher explained that the vacation timetable followed a circular signed by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, and titled “Notice of 2025 Christmas Vacation and Roster for Vacation Judges.” The notice emphasised that the Federal High Court Christmas Vacation schedule aligned with Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended).
To access the rules, litigants may visit the official court site via: The Federal High Court, for accurate information.
She stated that although the vacation begins December 19, core judicial divisions – Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt – would remain open and fully accessible to the public throughout the Federal High Court Christmas Vacation, handling matters restricted to urgent judicial relevance. These include enforcement of fundamental rights, arrest or release of vessels, and issues of urgent national importance requiring immediate judicial intervention.
For the Abuja division, Justice Emeka Nwite and Justice Musa Liman will preside as vacation judges. In the Lagos division, Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Isaac Dipeolu will serve in the same capacity. The Port Harcourt division will have Justice P.M. Ayua and Justice A.T. Mohammed sitting throughout the Federal High Court Christmas Vacation, while the Enugu judicial division will have Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo as the designated vacation judge.
Christopher added that the Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, KSS, OFR, FCIArb (UK), extended warm Christmas and New Year greetings to all judges nationwide, reaffirming the judiciary’s commitment to maintaining access to justice during the Federal High Court Christmas Vacation.
Further information about federal judicial activities can also be accessed via News Agency of Nigeria Platform.
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