Lagos Judiciary begins 54-day annual vacation

*Appoints judges for various judicial divisions for urgent matters

The Lagos State Judiciary have commenced it annual long vacation for Magistrates and Judges of the state High Court.

Consequently, the court rooms would be closed to litigation for the next 54 days .

The long vacation which commenced yesterday, Monday July 22, will end on September 13.

This was contained in a public notice signed by the acting Registrar of the Lagos Judiciary, Mr Tajudeen Elias on behalf of the Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba.

The long vacation was preceded by Judges Conference which they have been attending in batches to enable cross fertilisation of ideas and laws in the course of dispensing justice.

The public notice stated: “It is hereby stated for general information that the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Honourable Justice Kazeem Alogba has, pursuant to Order 49 Rule 4 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure Rules, 2019, approved that Monday, the 22nd day of July, 2024 to Friday, the 13th day of September, 2024, both dates inclusive shall be the period filed for the long vacation.

The statement announced the appointment of vacation judges that shall preside over urgent matters in the seven judicial divisions of the state during the vacation.

The vacation judges Ikeja division include Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe from Monday, July 22, 2024 to Friday, August 2. 2024, Justice I. O Harrison from Monday, August 5, 2024 to Friday, August 16, 2024; , Justice A.M. Lawal from Monday August 19, 2024 to Friday, August 30, 2024 while Justice E.A,O, Opesanwo will preside over urgent case from Monday September 2, 2024 to Friday, September 13, 2024.

In Lagos Division of the judiciary, Justice E.O. Ogundare, Justice Justice Serifat Sonaike, Justice A.A. Oyebanji and Justice O.O. Martins shall preside on cases during same corresponding period.

The vacation judges for Badagry Division are Justice M.O. Dawodu from Monday, August 5, 2024 to Friday, August 16, 2024 and Justice O.A. Adamson from Monday August 19, 2024 to Friday August 30, 2024.

Justice Wasiu Animahun and Justice G.A. Safari were appointed vacation judges for Epe Division.

Vacation judges for Ikorodu Division are Justice Olufunke Sule-Amzat and Justice Rahman Oshodi who shall serve for same corresponding period.While Justice Kudirat Jose and Justice Oyindamola Ogala were appointed for Eti-Osa Division, Justice Animaun B ashua and Justice K.O. Dawodu were appointed for Yaba/Surulere Division for same corresponding period.

The public notice stated that notwithstanding the long vacation, the Criminal Division of the High Court of Lagos state may sit throughout the period of the vacation. Where a judqe of a Criminal Division is on vacation, a vacation judge may be assigned to deal with all urgent pending criminal cases in the court.

“Notwithstanding the long vacation, any case or matter may be heard by a judge during the period of the vacation (except on Sunday or Public Holiday). Where such cause or matter is urgent or a judge, at the request of all the parties. concerned, agreed to hear it.”

It said: “Any application for an urgent hearing during the vacation may be made by summons in chambers, before the vacation judge or the judge before whom the substantive case is pending.”

The public notice said that the long vacation will end on Friday, September 13, 2024.

“The 2024/2025 Legal Year commences on Monday September 16, 2024. Notice is further given that the New Legal Year services will hold on Monday, the 29th day of September, 2024.”

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