Federal High Court Announces Annual Judges’ Vacation

The Federal High Court has announced the annual vacation for its judges.

The court’s spokesperson, Catherine Christopher, said in a statement on Friday that the vacation commences from 24 July to 15 September 2023.

She further disclosed that the court would open for business on 18 September.

Ms Christopher, an Assistant Director of Information, cited the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2019 which empowers the Chief Judge, John Tsoho, to declare the vacation.

The statement explained that the break was to enable judges “enjoy their well- deserved rest and to prepare for the challenges of the New Legal year.”

Other courts, including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, the National Industrial High Court, and state High Courts are expected to announce their judges’ vacation that will fall in the same period of the year.

However, three of the court’s divisions in Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt in Rivers State will be opened to handle emergency cases, mostly fundamental human rights-related, during the judges’ vacation.

The court has drawn a schedule for some judges to take their turns to serve as vacation judges during the break.

In Abuja, Ahmed Mohammed and Obiora Egwuatu will preside over such cases, while I. N. Oweibo and A. Aluko will hold the forte in Lagos. A. T. Mohammed and S.I. Mark will hear cases in Port-Harcourt division of the court during the vacation.

Read the full statement below:

PRESS RELEASE

NOTIFICATION OF FEDERAL HIGH COURT ANNUAL VACATION FOR THE YEAR 2023 AND ROSTER FOR VACATION JUDGES.

By virtue of the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (d) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Honorable Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, announces its 2023 Annual Vacation and Roster for Vacation Judges.

The Vacation will commence from Monday, the 24th day of July 2023 to Friday, the 15th day of September, 2023. The Court shall resume sitting on Monday, the 18th day of September, 2023.

This is in Order for Hon. judges to enjoy their well- deserved rest and to prepare for the challenges of the New Legal year.

Consequently, the Litigating public will be at liberty to approach ONLY the under listed functional Courts located nearest to them;

a) Abuja

b) Lagos

c) Port-Harcourt

The Vacation Judges are:

Abuja

a) Hon. Justice A. R. Mohammed

b) Hon. Justice O.A. Egwuatu

Lagos

a) Hon. Justice I. N. Oweibo

b) Hon. Justice A. Aluko

Port- Harcourt

a) Hon. Justice A. T. Mohammed

b) Hon. Justice S.I. Mark

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Honorable Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, wishes his fellow lordships a wonderful Vacation in advance.

Signed

Catherine Oby Christopher,PhD

Assistant Director Information,

Federal High Court of Nigeria,

Friday, 2nd June, 2023.