The Federal High Court of Nigeria has said that it will kick-start the event marking the 2022 new legal year of the court on Tuesday, December 14 in Abuja.

During the program that will last three days, the annual Judges’ Conference and End of the Year Get-Together ceremony would also be held.

A circular signed by the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho indicated that the event would be put to an end on Thursday, December 16, 2021.

In the programme of events made available to our correspondent in Abuja, the new legal year thanksgiving service and court session would be held on Tuesday, 14th December, 2021 to officially mark the commencement of activities in the courts as indicated in the circular.

The opening ceremony for the Judges’ Conference will hold on Wednesday, 15th December, 2021 while the End of the Year Get-Together holds on Thursday 16th December, 2021 by 2:00 pm.

The Chief Judge stated in the circular that there shall be a special valedictory court session on Monday, 13th December, 2021 in honour of the former Chief Judge of the court, Late Hon. Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati.

“Pursuant to the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (C) of the Federal High Court (civil Procedures) Rules, 2019, the Federal High Court will proceed on its Christmas vacation from Monday, 20th December, 2021 to Friday, 7th January, 2022”.

The Court will, however, resume sitting on Monday, 10th January, 2022.

Justice Tsoho said that the litigating public would be at liberty to approach only functional courts located nearest to them in Abuja, Lagos and Port -Harcourt for matters of urgency.

The circular indicated that during the vacation, only matters relating to enforcement of fundamental rights; arrest or release of vessels and matters that concern dire national interest are to be entertained.

It named Hon. Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed and Hon. Justice Z.B. Abu Bakar as the vacation judges for Abuja division.

Lagos division is to have Hon. Justice Daniel E. Osiagor and Hon. Justice A.O. Awogboro as vacation judges while Port-Harcourt division will have Hon. Justice A.T. Mohammed and Hon. Justice S.I. Mark on the bench during the period.

A statement by the Chief Information Officer of the court, Catherine Oby Christopher quoted the Chief Judge as wishing his fellow judges a wonderful vacation in advance.