Judges of the Federal High Court will commence their annual vaccination from July 23 to September 13, 2024.
Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, who announced this in a statement on Tuesday by the Assistant Director of Information, Federal High Court of Nigeria, Dr Catherine Oby Christopher, hints that the yearly vacation of the court is in accordance with the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (d) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.
Justice Tsoho disclosed that the vacation, which begins on July 23, will last till Friday, September 13, 2024 .
The chief judge, however, states that formal court sittings will resume on Monday, September 16, 2024.
The statement explained that the vacation will allow judicial officers to enjoy their rest and prepare for the tasks and activities of the new legal year.
According to the statement, three divisions of the court in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt would be opened to the litigating public for matters of extreme urgency only.
It added that the Abuja division of the court will be presided by Justices Emeka Nwite and Peter Lifu as vacation judges; Justices Akintayo Aluko and Isaac D. Dipeolu for Port Harcourt division while Justices A. T. Mohammed and P. M. Ayua will sit as vacation judges in Lagos.
Meanwhile, the court has issued a new practice direction on use of electronic affidavit (e-affidavit).
According to a statement from the court on Tuesday, the new practice directions, which take effect from July 1, 2024, is in line with the powers as conferred on the chief judge of the Federal High Court by Orders 57 and 58 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and all other powers enabling the him in that respect.
The statement, however, explained that the e-affidavit will not be a replacement for the manually sworn affidavit, as the aim of the Practice Directions is to ensure data protection in a user-friendly automated system of deposing to e-affidavits.
“These Practice Directions shall, save to the extent as maybe otherwise directed by the Chief Judge, apply to E- Affidavits issuing from the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
“Order ll (Objectives and Guiding Principles) of the practice directions stated that, “Whereas E-Affidavits issued by the Federal High Court are accepted globally and internationally, the purpose of this Practice Directions is to carry into effect for various purposes, the new E-Affidavit regime to be adopted by the Court particularly in; ensuring efficient, transparent and prompt issuance of E-Affidavits in compliance with global best practices; Protecting the interests of litigants and other users who desire the use of E-Affidavit; Regulating standard of issuance of E-Affidavit upon payment of prescribed fees,” the statement said.
On Order III (Implementation of E-Affidavit Regime), the court said “without prejudice to the provisions of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 and the Oaths Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010; all E-Affidavits of the Federal High Court shall emanate from the designated E-filling Unit of the Court.
“The E-Affidavit shall be in an electronic format with such specialised features as approved by the court.
“The application shall be made online from the official website of the Court.
“The E-Affidavit software would be implemented by the E-filling Unit under the supervision of the Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation).”
