Federal High Court To Begin Christmas Vacation December 19

The Federal High Court has announced that it will begin its 2025 Christmas vacation on December 19.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the court’s Director of Information, Dr. Catherine Christopher, said sittings will resume across all judicial divisions on January 7, 2026.

The notice, titled: “Notice of 2025 Christmas Vacation and Roster for Vacation Judges,” was issued in line with a circular signed by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.

“The Federal High Court hereby issues notice of its 2025 Christmas Vacation as well as the approved roster of Vacation Judges,” the statement read.

“The court will commence its Christmas Vacation 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 January 7, 2026.

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

Christopher explained that only matters relating to the enforcement of fundamental rights, the arrest or release of vessels, and issues of urgent national importance will be entertained during the vacation period.

For the Abuja Division, Justice Emeka Nwite and Justice Musa Liman will serve as vacation judges. In Lagos, Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Isaac Dipeolu will preside, while Justice P. M. Ayua and Justice A. T. Mohammed will sit in Port Harcourt. At the Enugu Division, Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo will serve as the vacation judge.

The Chief Judge, Justice Tsoho, extended “warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all Honourable Judges.”

Many federal ministries, departments, and agencies typically scale down activities during the Christmas and New Year period, operating reduced schedules while ensuring essential services remain available.