The Federal High Court will begin its 2026 annual vacation on July 27, with normal court activities scheduled to resume on September 11, following approval by the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the court’s Director of Information, Catherine Christopher.
According to the statement, the vacation period was approved in accordance with Order 46, Rule 4(d) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.
“The annual vacation is scheduled to commence on Monday, 27th July 2026, and end on Friday, 11th September 2026,” the statement read.
Although regular sittings will be suspended during the break, the court said arrangements have been made to ensure urgent cases continue to receive attention through designated vacation courts.
“During the vacation period, the court will continue to provide judicial services in urgent matters through designated Vacation Courts. Accordingly, the Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Enugu Judicial Divisions will remain operational to entertain cases requiring immediate judicial attention,” the statement added.
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The court further urged lawyers and members of the public to restrict filings during the vacation to matters requiring urgent judicial intervention.
“Members of the public and legal practitioners are advised to file and prosecute urgent matters only at the designated Vacation Courts closest to them,” it stated.
To facilitate the handling of such cases, Justice Tsoho assigned eight judges to sit in the designated divisions throughout the vacation period.
In Abuja, urgent matters will be heard by Justices J.O. Abdulmalik and O.A. Egwuatu. The Lagos Division will be covered by Justices Akintayo Aluko and Ogazi F. Nkemakonam, while Justices P.M. Ayua and A.T. Mohammed have been assigned to the Port Harcourt Division.
For the Enugu Division, Justices F.O.G. Ogunbanjo and M.T. Segun-Bello will preside over cases requiring immediate attention.
The Federal High Court observes an annual vacation under its civil procedure rules to provide judges with a period of rest while ensuring access to justice is maintained through selected divisions that handle urgent and time-sensitive matters.