FHC opens weekend, holiday registry for election matters

The Federal High Court of Nigeria has announced a significant procedural change, opening its registries across all divisions on weekends and public holidays. This decision is specifically aimed at facilitating the filing of pre-election matters, a critical aspect of electoral litigation.

The court's Chief Registrar, Yahaya Shafa, issued a notice on Thursday explaining that this measure is necessary to address the stringent timelines involved in pre-election litigation, particularly in anticipation of the 2027 general elections. The move acknowledges the constitutional and statutory time limits that govern the filing and determination of such disputes, ensuring that legal processes can proceed without delay.

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The Federal High Court of Nigeria formally notifies all legal practitioners that registries in all divisions of the Federal High Court would be open between 10:00am and 2:00pm at weekends and public holidays for filing of pre-election matters only.

Under the new arrangement, registries will operate between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. This extended availability is exclusively for the filing of pre-election cases, emphasizing the court's commitment to ensuring timely adjudication of electoral disputes.

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This has become expedient to meet the limited time frame for filing pre-election matters.