Christmas Break Alert: Federal High Court to Close on December 19

The Federal High Courts (FHC) across Nigeria will begin their Christmas vacation starting December 19.

The FHC’s Director of Information, Dr. Catherine Christopher, announced in a statement issued Monday, November 17, obtained by Persecondnews in Abuja that court sittings are scheduled to resume in all judicial divisions on January 7, 2026.

In a statement titled, “Notice of 2025 Christmas Vacation and Roster for Vacation Judges,” she said this was in accordance with a circular duly signed by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.

The statement reads: “The Federal High Court hereby issues notice of its 2025 Christmas Vacation as well as the approved Roster of Vacation Judges.

“The court will commence its Christmas Vacation for the year 2025 on December 19.

“This vacation schedule is issued pursuant to Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended).

“Court sittings shall resume in all Judicial Divisions on Jan. 7, 2026.

“During the vacation, the core judicial divisions — Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt — will remain operational and accessible to the litigating public.”

According to her, only cases pertaining to the enforcement of fundamental rights, the arrest or release of vessels, and issues of urgent national importance shall be entertained by the vacation judges.

Christopher said for the Abuja Division, Justice Emeka Nwite and Justice Musa Liman would serve as vacation judges; and for the Lagos Division, Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Isaac Dipeolu would be presiding.

She said at the Port Harcourt Division, Justice P. M. Ayua and Justice A. T. Mohammed would be sitting, and at the Enugu Judicial Division, Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo would be the vacation judge.

“The Honourable Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, KSS, OFR, FCIArb. (UK), extends his warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all Honourable Judges,” she stated.

Persecondnews reports that some federal ministries, departments, and agencies typically scale down operations during the Christmas and New Year period, observe adjusted work schedules, or take temporary breaks.

The annual practice allows institutions to manage reduced activities while ensuring essential services remain available.