The chief judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), John Tsoho, has appointed vacation judges nationwide for Christmas and New Year.

Mr Tsoho, who announced this in a statement by Catherine Oby-Christopher, the court’s spokesperson, said the vacation begins on December 21 and ends on January 5.

“Pursuant to the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil ) Procedure Rules, 2019, the chief judge of the Federal High Court has approved the Christmas Vacation of the Court for the year 2026 and the roster of Judges designated to sit during the vacation period.

“Regular court sittings shall resume on January 6,” the chief judge said.

The chief judge said that during the vacation, only the designated judicial divisions shall remain operational to provide judicial services to the litigating public.

Mr Tsoho said Justice Inyang Ekwo and Justice Obiora Egwuatu will sit as vacation judges for the Abuja division, while Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Ogazi Nkemakonam will sit at the Lagos division.

He said Justice P. M. Ayua and Justice A. T. Mohammed will preside at the Port Harcourt division, while Justice Folashade Giwa Ogunbanjo and Justice M. T. Segun-Bello will sit at the Enugu judicial division.

“It is important to note that, during the vacation period, the vacation judges shall entertain only matters relating to the enforcement of fundamental rights, the arrest or release of vessels, and other matters of urgent national importance such as trial of pre- election cases,” the chief judge said.

He wished all judges and members of the court a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance.

(NAN)