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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Pre-election cases: Court registries to open weekends, public holidays

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The Federal High Court issued new Practice Directions for the expeditious determination of pre-election cases.
  • Court registries will now open on weekends and public holidays for filing pre-election matters.
  • The new directions aim to minimize delays, encourage settlement, and ensure focus on genuine issues in election disputes.

The Federal High Court of Nigeria has introduced new "Pre-Election" Practice Directions for 2026, aimed at ensuring fair, impartial, and swift resolution of pre-election cases nationwide. Chief Judge Justice John Tsoho issued the directions, which repeal the 2022 version, utilizing powers granted by the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

A significant change is the directive for court registries across all judicial divisions to operate on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. This extended availability, from 10 am to 2 pm, is exclusively for the filing of pre-election matters, acknowledging the time-sensitive nature of these cases. The court's Director of Information, Dr. Catherine-Oby Christopher, announced the new guidelines, emphasizing their role in streamlining election-related legal processes.

The Federal High Court of Nigeria hereby notifies members of the Bar, political parties, litigants and the general public that the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, OFR, has issued the Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions, 2026.

— Catherine-Oby ChristopherThe Director of Information announced the issuance of the new practice directions.

The practice directions also focus on minimizing delays and encouraging efficiency. They aim to ensure parties concentrate on the core issues in dispute, reduce time spent on interlocutory matters, and promote the exploration of amicable settlements before formal hearings. The court will pay close attention to specific sections of the Electoral Act and the Constitution concerning election disputes.

Furthermore, the new rules stipulate that any party alleging fraud or forgery must specifically plead these facts. In cases challenging the conduct or outcome of primary elections, all relevant parties must be joined as respondents to facilitate a comprehensive determination by the court. The Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules of 2019 will apply to any issues not covered by these new practice directions.

It is instructive that the current Practice Directions has repealed the 2022 version.

— Catherine-Oby ChristopherThe Director of Information noted the update from previous guidelines.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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