​The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has issued new Practice Directions ordering court registries across all judicial divisions to open on weekends and public holidays exclusively to process pre-election filings. Under the new directive, which officially repeals the 2022 version of the Practice Directions, registries must operate between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays to handle the influx of political and electoral disputes.
​The policy shift is part of a comprehensive framework aimed at ensuring the fair, impartial, and speedy determination of pre-election cases. Given the strict constitutional timelines governing election-related litigation in Nigeria, the judicial intervention seeks to eliminate administrative bottlenecks that historically delayed political cases.
​Key provisions established under the new regime states that registries will strictly process pre-election litigation documentation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during non-working days.
To prevent deliberate foot-dragging by litigants, parties will generally be restricted to no more than two adjournments throughout the lifecycle of a case.
The court will increasingly leverage electronic communication tools to notify legal counsel of urgent proceedings and accelerated hearing schedules.
​By repealing the 2022 guidelines, the Federal High Court intends to curb excessive interlocutory applications that frequently stall substantive trials. Legal experts note that the dedicated weekend hours will significantly alleviate pressure on the court system as the political landscape intensifies. Matters not explicitly addressed under these new guidelines will continue to fall under the standard provisions of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules.
