Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, FHC, fixed the date after the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, assigned the case to her.

The DSS, on Monday, filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai following his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

The charge, instituted by the Nigerian secret police, is marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026.

The service accused El-Rufai of breaching the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act, (2024), and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003.)

In count one, El Rufai was alleged to have, on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, did admit during the interview that he and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, Mr Ribadu.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.

In count two, the ex-governor was alleged to have, on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, did state during the interview that he knew and related with certain individual, who unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of NSA, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment, Act, 2024.

Count three alleged that El Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety, national security and instilling reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting NSA’s phone communications.

The act, which the DSS said, the ex-governor admitted during an interview on February 13th on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja “and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”

El-Rufai had, during a live interview on the TV station, claimed he overheard Mr Ribadu directing security operatives to detain him, linking the alleged directive to an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12 after his return from Cairo, Egypt.

The former governor was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday over corruption allegations.

He was granted administrative bail at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday but was said to have been immediately taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.

The ICPC’s spokesperson, John Odey, who confirmed the development in a message shared on a journalist’s Whatsapp group Wednesday night, simply said: “Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is in the custody of the commission in connection with ongoing investigations.”

Source: NAN

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The post DSS gets date to arraign El-Rufai over alleged cybercrime, breach of national security appeared first on Frontpageng.

Justice Egwuatu, who was recently re-assigned the cases by the Chief Judge, CJ, of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, said he decided to withdraw from them for personal reasons and for better interest of justice.

The two cases include the multi billion naira asset forfeiture case concerning 57 property and the N8.7 billion money laundering charges filed by the EFCC against Malami, his wife, Asabe Bashir and son, Abdulaziz Malami.

The development occurred on Thursday shortly after the civil suit for forfeiture of 57 property allegedly linked to Malami was called for mention.

Upon resumed hearing, EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for mention.

The lawyer, however, told the court that the commission received a letter from Joseph Daudu, SAN, who is Malami’s counsel, seeking an adjournment of the case to Monday, February 16.

He said Daudu stated in the letter that he was at the Court of Appeal for another case, hence, the need for the application for an adjournment.

Shortly after Iheanacho addressed the court, Justice Egwuatu, in a brief ruling, announced his recusal from the case.

“Gentlemen, for personal reasons and for better interest of justice, I will recuse myself from this case and in the other sister case,” he said.

The judge said the case files would be remitted back to the chief judge accordingly.

Although Daudu was not in court, lawyers for other respondents/applicants, who had interest in some of the property already placed on temporary forfeiture to the federal government, were in court.

While Kalu Kalu Agu announced appearance for Alhaji Muktaka Usman Junju and Realsmart Tech Nigeria Ltd; D. O. Anyebe represented Real Edge Agro Services Ltd, while M.S. Ishaq appeared for his clients who he did not mention in open court.

The cases were formerly before Justice Emeka Nwite, who sat as vacation judge during the Christmas break.

The CJ had re-assigned the two cases to the new judge after the Christmas vacation sitting ended and Justice Obiora fixed February 12 for the civil case and February 16 for the money laundering case.

Justice Nwite, the former trial judge, had, on January 6, ordered the interim forfeiture of the 57 property suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities linked to Malami, to the federal government.

The judge made the order following an ex-parte motion, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/20/2026, and moved by the EFCC’s lawyer, Iheanacho, to the effect.

The judge directed the commission to publish the order in a national daily for interested person(s) to show cause, within 14 days, why all the property should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.

The multi-billion naira landed property are located in Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna states.

But Malami had since challenged the anti-graft agency’s civil suit, praying the court to dismiss same.

In a motion on notice filed on January 27 on Malami’s behalf by a team of lawyers led by Daudu, the ex-AGF alleged that the anti-corruption agency got the interim order by suppression of material facts and misrepresentation.

Malami, who urged the court to dismiss the suit to prevent “conflicting outcomes duplicative litigation,” argued that the proceeding was an assault on his fundamental right to owned property, his presumption of innocence and his right to live in peace with his family.

More applicants had also joined Malami in urging the court to vacate the interim order of forfeiture.

In a related development, the ex-AGF, Asabe and Abdulaziz were, on December 30, 2025, arraigned by the anti-graft agency also before Justice Nwite in the 16-count criminal charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/700/2025.

They were arraigned on allegations bordering on money laundering offences to the tune of N8, 713,923, 759.49 (Eight billion, seven hundred and thirteen million, nine hundred and twenty three thousand, seven hundred and fifty nine naira, forty nine kobo).

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the 16 counts.

While Malami and son were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, Asabe was remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre before they were admitted to N500 million bail each, on January 7, with two sureties each in the like sum.

Malami and his son were, however, re-arresred by the Department of State Services, DSS, over allegations bordering on terrorism.

The duo, who are currently being detained by the DSS, were arraigned, on February 3, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of a sister court on a five-count terrorism charge.

Source: NAN

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The post Judge withdraws from EFCC’s cases against Malami, gives reason appeared first on Frontpageng.

The FHC ‘s Director of Information, Dr Catherine Christopher, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said court sittings would resume in all the judicial divisions on January 7, 2026.

In a statement titled, “Notice of 2025 Christmas Vacation and Roaster for Vacation Judges,” she said that was in accordance with a circular duly signed by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.

It reads: “The Federal High Court hereby issues notice of its 2025 Christmas Vacation as well as the approved Roster of Vacation Judges.

“The court will commence its Christmas Vacation for the year 2025 on Dec. 19.

“This vacation schedule is issued pursuant to Order 46, Rule 4(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended).

“Court sittings shall resume in all Judicial Divisions on Jan. 7, 2026.

“During the vacation, the core judicial divisions; Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt will remain operational and accessible to the litigating public.”

According to her, only matters pertaining to the enforcement of fundamental rights, the arrest or release of vessels, and issues of urgent national importance shall be entertained by the vacation judges.

Christopher said for Abuja division, Justice Emeka Nwite and Justice Musa Liman would be vacation judges; and for Lagos division, Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Isaac Dipeolu would be presiding.

She said at Port Harcourt division, Justice P. M. Ayua and Justice A.T. Mohammed would be sitting and at Enugu judicial division, Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo would be the vacation judge.

“The Honourable Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, KSS, OFR, FCIArb. (UK), extends his warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to all Honourable Judges,” she concluded.

Source: NAN

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The post Christmas vacation: Federal High Court announces commencement date appeared first on Frontpageng.

Justice Omotosho issued the threat following a complaint by Bello’s counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, accusing the EFCC of publishing untrue accounts of what transpired in court on the last adjourned date on its website against his client.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the anti-graft agency filed the charges in 2022, accusing Bello and Dauda Sulaiman of fraud involving alleged diversion of funds from the Kogi State Government coffers.

While Bello is the 1st defendant, Sulaiman is the 2nd defendant in the 10-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022.

Aliyu had told the court that he had a complaint to make on his client’s behalf.

He said: “the prosecutor is subjecting my client (Bello) to mob justice by making publications” that were allegedly untrue.

The lawyer alleged that the publication, which was on EFCC’s website, was distributed to other social media.

“They (EFCC) said the 1st defendant made a payment of the house at Ikogosi Close in Maitama District and after he discovered that the house was under investigation by EFCC, he now returned the documents back,” Aliyu said.

He said his client told him that he did not buy the property contrary to the allegation.

The lawyer, who gave a copy of the printout to the court, also said that a copy had already been served on the commission’s counsel.

“What is your reaction counsel,” Justice Omotosho asked EFCC’s lawyer, Abbas Muhammed.

Responding after he went through the copy, Muhammed said he could not verify the authenticity at the moment.

“I have seen the publication. At this point my lord, I cannot verify. I will have to verify with the media team,” he said.

The judge then gave him the go-ahead to verify and report back to the court in the next adjourned date.

“I want to say this, on the reportage of this proceedings. I won’t take it if it continues this way.

“I am going to take all your files and send back to the CJ for reassignment.

“It is not only against the defendant but against the court,” the judge said.

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Justice Omotosho said writing fictitious stories about court proceedings might make the public lose confidence in the court.

He said such action bordered on the integrity of the court.

“Now that this report is online, and if I now hold otherwise, how will the society sees it?

“You create wrong impression in the society.

“I can’t be put in the public for analysis on what happens in court.

“You have to go and report back. This is annoying,” the judge said.

Justice Omotosho, who acknowledged the presence of accredited journalists in court, emphasised on the need for accurate reportage of what transpired in court.

He likened it to the case of Rivers matter where some social media users attacked the court for its judgment which ruled in favour of Martins Amaewhule-led lawmakers after Gov. Siminalayi Fubara voluntarily withdrew his counter affidavit in the suit.

“I have had so much from social media.

“The day the Rivers matter was heard and the counsel applied to withdraw their application, I stood the matter down for one hour and 30 minutes to give the counsel the opportunity to consult, before he finally withdrew their counter affidavit,” he said.

Justice Omotosho said it was however a different arguments on social media as some were saying that the judge did not consider the application filed by Fubara in arriving at the decision.

“Let us stop this because it affects the integrity of the system,” he said.

Earlier, the EFCC lawyer, Muhammed, informed the court that the matter was slated for continuation of trial and that their 11th witness was in court.

Segun Adeleke, the 11th prosecution witness (PW-11) and the General Manager of EFAB Properties Ltd, was led in evidence by Muhammed.

“My schedule include recruitment, discipline, dismissal and more importantly, I head the team that concludes purchases of houses in the office,” he said.

Adeleke, who said he had been in the company for 28 years, said Chief Fabian Nwora is their chairman.

When the lawyer asked him if he knew a man called, Shehu Bello, the witness responded in affirmative.

The PW-11 said in 2020, Chief Nwora, his boss, sent for him.

He said when he got to his chairman’s office, he met Shehu Bello.

“Before then, they had discussed a property at Maitama, No 1, Ikogosi Spring Close, that Shehu Bello will come and make the payment of N500 million  for the property,” he said.

The witness said Shehu Bello paid the dollars equivalent of N500 million and that he made the enquiry from a bureau de change operator to confirm.

When Muhammed asked Adeleke how the money was paid, he said: “The money was received in cash.”

He said the house located at Ikogosi, Maitama in Abuja was given “No. 1,” on the close because it was the first building on the close and the houses there were not numbered.

When asked if he had any other contact with Shehu Bello, the witness said: “Concerning our personal contact, it starts with the making of the payment. Every other contacts continue with my chairman.”

During cross examination, Aliyu, who represented Ali Bello, asked the witness if his client was Shehu Bello and he said: “No My lord.”

Also, Olusegun Jolaawo, SAN, who appeared for Sulaiman, the 2nd defendant, asked if his client was Shehu Bello and the PW-11 equally responded in the negative.

Justice Omotosho after discharging the witness from the witness box, adjourned the matter until May 7 and May 9 for continuation of trial.

The post Alleged false report: Judge threatens to withdraw from EFCC’s case against Ali Bello appeared first on Frontpageng.

The Chief Judge of FHC, Justice John Tsoho, made the announcement in a circular made available to newsmen on Sunday by the court’s Director of Information, Dr Catherine Christopher, in Abuja.

The CJ said though the vacation would end on April 28, the judges would formally resume sitting on April 29.

“This is pursuant to the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (C) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended).

“The court resumes sitting on Tuesday, 29th April, 2025 in all Judicial Divisions,” he said.

Tsoho said during the vacation period, the Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt Judicial Divisions would remain open to the public only for cases of extreme urgency.

READ ALSO: Borno: Gov Zulum speaks on suspected Boko Haram attack

“It is important to note 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 by vacation judges.”

According to the circular, Justices Emeka Nwite and Musa Sulaiman Liman will serve as vacation judges for Abuja judicial division while Justices Akintayo Aluko and Isaac I. Dipeolu will hold forth for Lagos division.

It said the Port Harcourt division would have Justices Phoebe Ayua and Adamu  Mohammed as vacation judges.

The statement advised vacation judges and heads of divisions to promptly refer to the chief judge all matters which they believe may require his urgent attention and directives.

Source: NAN

The post Easter: Federal High Court judges begin two weeks vacation appeared first on Frontpageng.

Justice Binta Nyako, gave the order after Kanu and his counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, insisted that the trial judge no longer had jurisdiction to preside over the case following her earlier recusal.

Justice Nyako had, on September 24, 2024, recused (withdrew) herself from the trial of Kanu, after an oral application from the defence and the case file was transferred to the chief judge.

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However, the Chief Judge of FHC, Justice John Tsoho sent the Kanu’s case file back to Justice Nyako for adjudication, insisting that a formal application must be made by the defence before the recusal could be accepted.

Source: NAN

The post Alleged terrorism: Court adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s trial indefinitely appeared first on Frontpageng.

The announcement was made on Wednesday in a statement by the FHC’s Assistant Director of Information, Dr. Catherine Oby-Christopher.

The judges have been directed to report at their duty stations before the date of resumption after Christmas vacation.

“Sequel to the appointment of 23 new judges, the Honorable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, has released a new posting of the court’s judges to various Divisions across the country.

“The Chief Judge directed the affected judges to report at their duty stations before the date of resumption from the Christmas vacation, being the 8th day of January, 2023.

“His lordship wishes his fellow lordships a wonderful vacation in advance.

“Below is the list of judges and their new postings:

1. ABUJA:
2. HON. JUSTICE J.T. TSOHO — Chief Judge
3. HON. JUSTICE G.K. OLOTU
4. HON. JUSTICE B.F.M. NYAKO
5. HON. JUSTICE R.N. OFILI- AJUMOGOBIA
6. HON. JUSTICE A.R. MOHAMMED
7. HON. JUSTICE I. E. EKWO
8. HON. JUSTICE D.U. OKOROWO
9. HON. JUSTICE JOYCE OBEHI ABDULMALIK
10. HON. JUSTICE JAMES KOLAWALE  OMOTOSHO
11. HON. JUSTICE EMEKA NWITE
12. HON. JUSTICE OBIORA ATUEGWU  EGWUATU
13. HON. JUSTICE MOBOLAJI OLUBUKOLA  OLAJUWON
14. HON. JUSTICE NKEONYE EVELYN  MAHA
15. UMUAHIA -ABIA
16. HON. JUSTICE SUNDAY ONU
17. HON. JUSTICE MUSA KAKAKI
18. YENAGOA — BAYELSA
19. HON. JUSTICE ISA HAMMA ADAMA  DASHEN
20. HON. JUSTICE SALIM OLASUPO  IBRAHIM
21. BENIN -EDO
22. HON. JUSTICE S. M. SHUAIBU
23. HON. JUSTICE CHUKA AUSTINE OBIOZOR
24. BIRNIN KEBBI – KEBBI
25. HON. JUSTICE EMMANUEL GAKKO
26. KADUNA
27. HON. JUSTICE R.M. AIKAWA
28. HON. JUSTICE HAWAU BUHARI
29. KANO
30. HON. JUSTICE A.M. LIMAN
31. HON. JUSTICE M.N. YUNUSA
32. HON. JUSTICE S.A. AMOBEDA
33. LAGOS
34. HON. JUSTICE J.T. TSOHO – Chief Judge
35. HON. JUSTICE A.O. FAJI
36. HON. JUSTICE A. LEWIS -ALLAGOA
37. HON. JUSTICE C.J. ANEKE
38. HON. JUSTICE YELLIM S.  BOGORO
39. HON. JUSTICE DANIEL EMEKA OSIAGOR
40. HON. JUSTICE AKINTAYO ALUKO
41. HON. JUSTICE PETER ODO LIFU
42. HON. JUSTICE ABIMBOLA O. AWOGBORO
43. HON. JUSTICE DIPEOLU DEINDE  ISAAC
44. HON. JUSTICE OGUNDARE KEHINDE OLAYIWOLA
45. HON. JUSTICE IBRAHIM AHMAD    KALA
46. HON. JUSTICE OGAZI FRIDAY  NKEMAKONAM
47. ILORIN -KWARA
48. HON. JUSTICE EVELYN NMASINULO ANYADIKE
49. HON. JUSTICE ARIWOOLA OLUKAYODE JNR.
50. AKURE – ONDO
51. HON. JUSTICE TOYIN BOLAJI ADEGOKE.
52. HON. JUSTICE OWOEYE ALEXANDER OLUSEYI
53. IBADAN -OYO
54. HON. JUSTICE UCHE N. AGOMOH
55. HON. JUSTICE EKERETE UDOFOT AKPAN
56. ABEOKUTA -OGUN
57. HON. JUSTICE A.A. OKEKE
58. HON. JUSTICE ADEFUNMILOLA ADEKEMI DEMI  – AJAYI
59. ADO -EKITI, EKITI
60. HON. JUSTICE B.O. KUEWUMI
61. HON. JUSTICE B.O. QUADRI
62. ASABA- DELTA
63. HON. JUSTICE F.A. OLUBANJO
64. HON. JUSTICE AGBAJE OLUFUNMILOLA  ADETUTU
65. AWKA – ANAMBRA
66. HON. JUSTICE NNAMDI DIMGBA
67. ABAKALIKI – EBONYI
68. HON. JUSTICE HYELADZIRA AJIYA NGANJUWA
69. HON. JUSTICE M.T. SEGUN- BELLO
70. OWERRI -IMO
71. HON. JUSTICE INIEKENIMI NICHOLAS OWEIBO
72. HON. JUSTICE WIGWE-OREH CHITURU JOY
73. WARRI- DELTA

HON. JUSTICE I.M. SANI

19. PORT HARCOURT —RIVERS
20. HON. JUSTICE P.I. AJOKU
21. HON. JUSTICE E.A. OBILE
22. HON. JUSTICE PHEOBE MSUEN AYUA
23. HON. JUSTICE STEPHEN DAYLOP PAM
24. HON. JUSTICE ADAMU TURAKI  MOHAMMED
25. HON. JUSTICE SA’ADATU IBRAHIM MARK
26. CALABAR — CROSS – RIVER
27. HON. JUSTICE I. L. OJUKWU
28. HON. JUSTICE ROSEMARY O.  DUGBO. OGHOGHORIE
29. UYO — AKWA-IBOM
30. HON. JUSTICE M.A. ONYETENU
31. HON. JUSTICE ONAH CHIGOZIE SERGIUS
32. MAKURDI – BENUE
33. HON. JUSTICE M.S. ABUBAKAR
34. HON. JUSTICE EGBE RAPHAEL JOSHUA.
35. ENUGU
36. HON. JUSTICE M.G. UMAR
37. HON. JUSTICE F.O. GIWA- OGUNBANJO
38. MAIDUGURI -BORNO
39. HON. JUSTICE JUDE KANYIOH DAGAT
40. HON. JUSTICE TIJJANI GARBA RINGIM

25  YOLA- ADAMAWA:

1. HON. JUSTICE SALEH KOGO IDRISSA
2. HON. JUSTICE ABDULAZEEZ M. Z. ANKA
3. BAUCHI
4. HON. JUSTICE MUSA SULAIMAN  LIMAN
5. HON. JUSTICE AISHATU AUTA IBRAHIM
6. KATSINA
7. HON. JUSTICE AHMAD GAMA MAHMUD
8. HON. JUSTICE HUSSAINI DADAN- GARBA
9. GUSAU-ZAMFARA
10. HON. JUSTICE AMINU BAPPA ALIYU
11. JALINGO – TARABA
12. HON. JUSTICE BALA KHALIFA- MOHAMMED USMAN
13. MINNA -NIGER
14. HON. JUSTICE GARBA AMINU
15. HON. JUSTICE MUHAMMAD DAN- IGE
16. LAFIA -NASARAWA:
17. HON. JUSTICE NEHIZENA IDEMUDIA AFOLABI
18. HON. JUSTICE ANYALEWA ONOJA -ALAPA
19. LOKOJA -KOGI
20. HON. JUSTICE ABDU DOGO
21. HON. JUSTICE ABIODUN JORDAN ADEYEMI
22. JOS-PLATEAU
23. HON. JUSTICE D.V. AGISHI

2.HON. JUSTICE  SHARON  TANKO ISHAYA

34. OSOGBO- OSUN:
35. HON. JUSTICE N. AYO- EMMANUEL
36. HON. JUSTICE MASHKUR SALISU
37. SOKOTO
38. HON. JUSTICE Z. B. ABUBAKAR
39. GOMBE
40. HON. JUSTICE HILLARY IDE OSHO  OSHOMO
41. HON. JUSTICE AMINA ALIYU MOHAMMAD
42. DUTSE – JIGAWA
43. HON. JUSTICE HASSAN DIKKO
44. DAMATURU – YOBE:
45. HON. JUSTICE FADIMA MURTALA AMINU
46. HON. JUSTICE YILWA HAUWA JOSEPH.”

The post CJ releases new posting for FHC judges (+Full list) appeared first on Frontpageng.

FHC, which was established on April 13, 1973, was formerly known as Federal Revenue Court.

It was established by the Federal Revenue Act 1973 (1973 No.13) and began with four judges with a president as its head.

The court was, however, renamed the “Federal High Court” by Section 228 (1) and 230 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979.

While Honourable Justice S.O. Lambo was the first president of Federal Revenue Court and served between 1973 and 1975, Justice John Tsoho is the 10th and current Chief Judge of FHC.

The court, which has grown structurally over the years, presently has divisions in all the states of the federation, including Abuja, where its headquarters is located.

The FHC, as part of its drive for capacity and human development, recently launched an electronic filing platform.

An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Yunusa Ibrahim, described the 50 years of FHC in the justice delivery as a milestone in the administration of justice.

He said the court had contributed in no small measure to justice delivery through its several judgments and decisions.

According to Ibrahim, to facilitate the expeditious determination of civil cases and matters before the court, the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2000 was enacted by Justice Tsoho pursuant to Section 254 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He said the rules had several innovative provisions for a just and expeditious disposition of cases.

Besides, Josephine Ijekhuemen, also a legal practitioner, said the importance of the court in Nigerian judiciary could not be over-emphasised.

She said due to its indispensable role, the new Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2022, conferred additional jurisdiction on the FHC to hear and determine pre-election complaints.

Justice Tsoho, while delivering a speech at a special court session to mark the commencement of the court’s 2022/2023 Legal Year on December 12, 2022, said in response to the enormous time-bound responsibility by the new Electoral Act, he constituted a special task force of judges for the swift disposal of pre-election matters.

Bearing in mind that Section 285 (10) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that pre-election cases must be concluded within 180 days from the date of filing of the suit, the CJ drafted judges from their substantive bases to help complete all pre-election cases in other judicial divisions that had a glut of the cases ahead of the 2023 general elections.

He, therefore, commended the judges for their resilience and sheer determination to deliver justice within the time frame.

He also thanked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, for approving an emergency fund to support the court in the assignment.

Tsoho, during one of the programmes for the 2022/2023 Legal Year, assured judges and staff of better welfare package.

The CJ said though the court had 76 judges across all its divisions nationwide, efforts would be made to recruit more judges.

He said the process for the appointment of judges to the Bench of the court would also be based on competence and merit.

According to him, only persons with intellectual ability with broad and sound knowledge would be considered for appointment to the Federal High Court Bench.

Justice Tsoho urged the judges to always discharge their duties with the fear of God.

Source: NAN

The post Federal High Court marks 50 years of justice delivery appeared first on Frontpageng.

Justice Tsoho, in a statement signed Dr Catherine Oby-Christopher, FHC’s Assistant Director of Information, said the vacation would last till April 17.

The statement, titled: “Notification of 2023 Easter Vacation and Roaster for Vacation Judges,” was made available Sunday night.

“This is pursuant to the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (b) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 (as amended).

READ ALSO: Elections: Federal High Court judges to proceed on short vacation

“The court resumes sitting on Tuesday, 18th April, 2023, in all judicial divisions,” he said.

According to the CJ, during the vacation period, the Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt judicial divisions shall remain open to the public only for cases of extreme urgency.

Tsoho said the Abuja judicial division would cater for cases from the Federal Capital Territory, north central, north western and north eastern parts of the country with Justices Ahmed Mohammed and Donatus Okorowo presiding.

“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,” he said.

The CJ said while Justices T.G. Ringim and A.O. Awogboro would serve as vacation judges at Lagos division, Justices A.T. Mohammed and S.I. Mark would preside at Port-Harcourt division during the holiday period.

“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.

“The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Honorable Justice John T. Tsoho, wishes his fellow lordships a wonderful vacation in advance,” the statement concluded.

Source: NAN

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In a circular obtained in Lagos on Tuesday, signed by its Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, the judges are to embark on vacation from February 22, until February 28.

The chief judge, however, mandated heads of its divisions in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt to ensure that a judge is designated to cater for the legal needs of the North, South-West, South South/South-East Geo-political zones.

The circular partly reads: “In view of the forthcoming 2023 general elections, your Lordships are by this circular letter permitted to observe a short break in order to perform your civic duties.

“Your Lordships are to sit on Wednesday  before proceeding on the break and shall resume work on  February 28.

“The administrative judges in the Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt Judicial Divisions, shall ensure that a judge is designated to cater for the North, South-West, SouthSouth/South-East geo-political areas, respectively, regarding urgent matters during the period,” he said.

Source: NAN

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