The vacation, according to a circular by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, was in accordance with the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (b) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended).
A statement released on Tuesday by the court’s Assistant Director of Information, Catherine Christopher, said only matters relating to enforcement of fundamental rights; arrest or release of vessels, and national interest cases would be heard by vacation judges in the Abuja, Lagos, and Port-Harcourt Judicial Divisions.
The statement partly read, “The Court shall commence its Easter Vacation from Friday, 22nd March, 2024 to Monday, April 8, 2024.
This is Pursuant to the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (b) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended).
“The Court resumes sitting on Tuesday, 9th April, 2024 in all Judicial Divisions. During the vacation period, the Abuja, Lagos, and Port-Harcourt Judicial Divisions shall remain open to the public only for cases of extreme urgency.
“It is essential to stress 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 is to be entertained by Vacation Judges.”
She noted that the court division in Abuja will sit on matters from the Federal Capital Territory, North Central, North Western, and North Eastern parts of the Country.
“The Lagos Division will cater for cases from all the South Western States, while the Port-Harcourt Judicial Division will cater for cases from all states within the South-South and South Eastern Geo-political Zones,” the statement added.
Christopher said Hon. Justice I.E. Ekwo and Justice D.U. Okorowo will be the vacation judge in Abuja; Justice A.O. Awogboro and Justice Ibrahim Kala for Lagos and Justice A.T. Mohammed and Justice S.I. Mark for Port Harcourt.
“The Vacation Judges and Heads of Divisions are as usual advised to promptly refer to the Hon. Chief Judge all matters which they believe may require His Lordship’s urgent attention and directives,” Christopher added.
Yearly, Federal High Courts observe their annual easter vacation between March and April.
In 2023, the vacation was observed between March 31 and April 17.
