From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Federal High Court of Nigeria will observe a two-week Easter vacation from Wednesday, April 16, to Monday, April 28, with normal operations resuming on Tuesday, April 29.
Chief Judge Justice John Terhemba Tsoho announced that three key divisions—Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt—will remain open during this period to handle urgent cases only.
A press statement from Dr Catherine Oby Christopher, Director of Information for the Court, detailed the arrangements: “The Federal High Court of Nigeria shall proceed on its Easter Vacation from Wednesday, the 16th day of April 2025, to Monday, the 28th day of April, 2025. This is Pursuant to the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (C) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended). The Court resumes sitting on Tuesday, 29th April 2025, in all Judicial Divisions.”
The statement clarified that during the vacation, only cases involving enforcement of fundamental rights, vessel arrests or releases, or matters of critical national interest will be addressed. Justices Emeka Nwite and Musa Sulaiman Liman will serve as vacation judges in Abuja, Justices Akintayo Aluko and Isaac I. Dipeolu in Lagos, and Justices Phoebe M. Ayua and Adamu T. Mohammed in Port Harcourt.
“It is important to note that during the vacation, only matters relating to the enforcement of fundamental rights; arrest or release of vessels and matters that concern dire national interest are to be entertained by vacation judges,” the statement noted. Vacation judges and division heads were advised to refer any matters requiring urgent attention to the Chief Judge promptly.
Justice Tsoho extended early Easter greetings to his colleagues, wishing them a joyful celebration.