'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Federal High Court judges will begin their 2024 yuletide vacation on December 16, 2024, as confirmed in a statement released by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, on Tuesday.
The annual holiday break is set to conclude on Monday, January 6, 2025, with court activities resuming across all judicial divisions on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
This vacation schedule follows the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (C) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended), which guides the Federal High Court’s vacation periods and operations.
During the holiday recess, only specific cases of critical importance will be heard by designated vacation judges. According to the Chief Judge’s circular, these cases include matters related to the enforcement of fundamental rights, urgent matters involving the arrest or release of vessels, and cases that pose significant national interest or urgency.
To manage these cases, core judicial divisions—namely, Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt—will remain open and operational throughout the vacation period. A roster of vacation judges has been prepared to ensure continuous judicial services in these divisions:
In Abuja Division, Justice Emeka Nwite and Justice M. S. Liman have been assigned as vacation judges. Lagos Division has Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Isaac Dipeolu overseeing vacation duties. While in Port Harcourt Division, Justice P. M. Ayua and Justice A. T. will preside over cases.
These vacation judges will focus solely on urgent cases that require immediate attention, ensuring that critical judicial services remain accessible during the holiday period.
The yuletide vacation provides an opportunity for judges and court staff to take a break after a year of extensive judicial responsibilities. However, by keeping core divisions active and assigning specific judges to handle essential cases, the Federal High Court aims to balance rest for its members with the need for continuous service on pressing legal matters.
This arrangement ensures that the judicial system remains responsive to high-priority cases, maintaining its commitment to justice and national interests even during the holiday season.
