The Federal High Court will commence its 2025 Christmas vacation on December 19, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the court’s Director of Information, Dr Catherine Christopher, confirmed that sittings across all judicial divisions will resume on January 7, 2026.
The announcement, titled “Notice of 2025 Christmas Vacation and Roster for Vacation Judges,” was released in line with a circular approved 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 court will commence its Christmas Vacation for the year 2025 on Dec. 19,” the statement reads.
Christopher noted that the schedule aligns with Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended). She added that the core judicial divisions — Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt — will remain open and accessible to the public throughout the vacation period.
During the break, only cases related to the enforcement of fundamental rights, the arrest or release of vessels, and matters of urgent national importance will be entertained by designated vacation judges.
For the Abuja Division, Justice Emeka Nwite and Justice Musa Liman will preside, while Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Isaac Dipeolu will serve as vacation judges in the Lagos Division.
At the Port Harcourt Division, Justice P. M. Ayua and Justice A. T. Mohammed will be sitting, and in the Enugu Judicial Division, Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo will take charge.
Justice Tsoho extended warm holiday greetings to all judges, wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
During the festive season, several federal ministries, departments and agencies typically reduce operations, adjust work schedules, or take short breaks — a yearly practice aimed at managing lower activity levels while ensuring essential services remain available.
