The Federal High Court (FHC) will begin its 2025 Christmas vacation on December 19, according to a statement issued by the court’s Director of Information, Dr. Catherine Christopher, in Abuja. Court activities across all judicial divisions are scheduled to resume on January 7, 2026.
In the statement titled “Notice of 2025 Christmas Vacation and Roster for Vacation Judges,” Christopher noted that the announcement followed a circular signed by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, 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 notice read.
She explained that the schedule was issued in line with Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended). During the vacation, court sittings will resume fully on January 7, 2026, but the core judicial divisions Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt will remain open to the public.
Only urgent matters such as enforcement of fundamental rights, arrest or release of vessels, and issues of national importance will be handled by the vacation judges.
For the Abuja Division, Justice Emeka Nwite and Justice Musa Liman have been assigned as vacation judges. In Lagos, Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Isaac Dipeolu will preside. The Port Harcourt Division will have Justice P. M. Ayua and Justice A. T. Mohammed on duty, while Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo will serve as the vacation judge for the Enugu Division.
The Chief Judge, Justice Tsoho, extended his warm Christmas and New Year greetings to all judges of the court.
The statement also noted that, as is customary, many federal ministries, departments, and agencies adjust their operations during the Christmas and New Year period. This annual practice allows institutions to scale down non-essential activities while ensuring that critical services remain available.
