The Federal High Court of Nigeria has announced that its judges will begin the 2025 Christmas vacation on Friday, December 19, 2025, with full court activities expected to resume on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The break is part of the court’s annual holiday schedule, which is provided for under the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules.
The notice was issued on Monday by the Court’s Director of Information, Mrs. Catherine Oby Christopher, on behalf of the Chief Judge, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho. According to the statement, the vacation is in line with Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended). This provision empowers the court to set out days when normal sittings will be suspended, except for urgent and essential matters.
Although the judges will be on vacation, the Court clarified that its key judicial divisions in Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt will remain open to the public. These divisions will operate with a selected group of vacation judges, who will handle urgent cases that cannot wait until the regular court sessions resume.
According to the notice, the Abuja Division will have Justices Emeka Nwite and Mohammed S. Liman on duty during the holiday period. The Lagos Division will be manned by Justices Akintayo Aluko and Isaac D. Dipeolu, while the Port Harcourt Division will have Justices P. M. Ayua and A. T. Mohammed overseeing urgent matters. In addition, the Enugu Division will have Justice Folasade Ogunbanjo on duty.
The Federal High Court explained that only specific categories of cases will be entertained during the Christmas vacation. These include:
Cases involving the enforcement of Fundamental Rights, such as unlawful detention or violations of individual liberties.
Matters concerning the arrest or release of vessels, which typically arise from maritime disputes.
Cases of urgent national importance, which may require immediate judicial intervention.
This limited schedule is part of the court’s long-standing practice to ensure that essential justice services remain available during holidays while allowing judges and court workers time to rest.
Like many judicial systems around the world, Nigeria’s Federal High Court observes yearly vacation periods to allow its judges time to recover from a full year of heavy caseloads. The Federal High Court handles many sensitive and complex matters, including terrorism cases, financial crimes, maritime disputes, trade matters, and constitutional issues.
Over the years, the number of cases filed in the Federal High Court has grown, placing greater pressure on judges across the country. Judicial vacations help prevent burnout and ensure that judges return refreshed and ready to handle the demands of the job.
The Christmas vacation is one of the three major breaks observed each year, alongside the Easter break and the long vacation, usually taken between July and September.
In the statement, Chief Judge Justice John Tsoho extended warm holiday greetings to all Federal High Court judges and staff. He wished them a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year, expressing appreciation for their hard work throughout 2025.
Justice Tsoho also acknowledged the challenges the judiciary has faced in recent years, including increased caseloads, public pressure, and the need to maintain stability in a complex political and security environment. He commended the judges for their commitment to justice delivery despite these pressures.
For lawyers, litigants, and businesses, the Christmas vacation means that most ongoing cases will pause until January. However, those involved in urgent matters can still approach the designated vacation judges in the three active divisions.
The judiciary plays a central role in Nigeria’s democratic and economic systems, and court breaks such as this are important for maintaining efficiency and fairness in the long run.
While the Federal High Court’s vacation is routine, it is also designed to ensure that justice is never completely halted. By keeping key divisions operational, the Court provides a balance between rest for judicial officers and the public’s need for timely resolution of urgent issues.
Cases involving fundamental rights are given priority during the break because delays in such matters may cause irreversible harm to individuals. Maritime matters, especially the arrest or release of vessels, are also prioritised because they often affect trade and involve significant financial interests.
As the Federal High Court prepares to resume full sitting in early January 2026, attention will likely focus on major cases pending before the Court, including high-profile corruption trials, election-related disputes, and economic matters involving government agencies and private companies.
The Court is expected to continue efforts to improve efficiency, reduce case backlogs, and strengthen public confidence in the judicial system.
For now, the announcement of the Christmas vacation marks the beginning of a brief but important pause in the judicial calendar, allowing judges and court workers time to rest and prepare for the responsibilities ahead in the new year.
