The Federal High Court has announced a brief recess to allow judges to vote in Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.
The adjournment, according to a circular signed by the Chief Justice of the court, John Tsoho, will begin on Wednesday (February 22) and end on February 28.
The February 20 circular said there will be judges appointed to hear important cases from various countries.
Under the arrangement, judges will be appointed to hear important cases from the North, South-West, and South-South/South-East regions of the country.
“Administrative Judges in the Judicial Division of Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, will ensure that Judges are appointed to fill the North, South-West, South-South/South-East Geopolitical Regions, on matters of importance during the period. ,” the circular read in part.
Nigeria holds presidential and National Assembly elections this Saturday.
18 presidential candidates are jostling to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, who will complete his second term in office on May 29.
On March 11, two weeks after the presidential election, gubernatorial elections will be held in 28 states. But state House of Assembly elections will be held in 36 states of the federation.
The Federal High Court hears most of the pre-election cases arising from last year’s primaries contested by various political parties.
Because of the large volume of pre-election cases filed by aggrieved politicians, The Chief Justice, in November, set up a special task force of judges to ensure speedy disposal.
A circular was issued by the Chief Judge to the effect that said judges who are members of the task force will suspend all regular cases in their respective courts, due to the urgency of the election case.
“According to the large volume of Pre-Election cases that have been filed so far; With the risk of lapsing, it is necessary for the Task Force to resolve the matter as soon as possible, especially in the Judiciary Division which is overcrowded,” said Tsoho in a statement by the Assistant Director of Information court. , Catherine Christopher, Wednesday.
He said task force members “will have four weeks to dispose of pre-election cases.”
Mr. Tsoho in July 2022 issued a practice directive on pre-election cases, which he said would “provide fair, impartial and speedy determination of pre-election cases,” among other things.
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