Lagos courts begin 2-month vacation today,resumes September

The Federal High Court and the Lagos State High Court will today begin their two-month vacations.

The Federal High Court will resume on September 16. The Lagos judges will return on September 10.

Two vacation judges will take turns to hear urgent applications at the Federal Court during the break.

Chief Judge of Lagos Justice Ayotunde Phillips said the vacation is in accordance with the powers conferred on her pursuant to Order 45 Rule 4(D) of the High Court of Lagos (Civil Procedure) Rule 2012.
She said 10 vacation judges for Ikeja and Lagos Judicial divisions would sit on court cases during the long vacation.

Justices Omobolanle Okiki-Ighile and Grace Onyeabor will sit between July 15 and 26 in Ikeja and Lagos High Courts.

Justices Beautrice Oke-Lawal and Hakeem Oshodi will preside between July 29 and August 9, in Ikeja and Lagos respectively.

Also Justices Josephine Oyefeso and Olajumoke Pedro will take charge between August 12 and August 23 in Ikeja and Lagos High Courts.

Justices Olushola Williams and Owolabi Dabiri will sit in Ikeja and Lagos while Justices Ganiyu Safari and OyindamolaOgala will be substitute vacation judges in the two courts.

Justice Phillips said that urgent applications or cause may be assigned to any judges who may be available in either Lagos or Ikeja.

The long vacation, notwithstanding, the chief judge said that the criminal division of the high court may sit throughout the period of the vacation.

“Where a judge of a criminal division is on vacation, a vacation judge may be assigned to deal with all urgent and pending criminal cases.

“Notwithstanding the long vacation, case or matter may be heard by a judge during the period of the vacation, except Sunday or public holiday, when such a matter is urgent or a judge, at the request of all parties concerned agreed to hear it”, she said.

Justice Phillips directed that any application for an urgent hearing during the vacation may be made by summons in chambers before the vacation judge or the judge before whom the substantive case is pending.

The Chief Judge said that the 2013/2014 session of the Lagos judiciary will begin on September 11. The new legal year has been scheduled for September 23.


The Nation