The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem O. Alogba, has announced that the annual long vacation for the Lagos State High Court will commence on Monday, July 21, 2025, and end on Friday, September 12, 2025. This period serves as a scheduled break for judicial officers and court personnel, offering them time to rest and rejuvenate after months of continuous court sessions.

This announcement, made via a notice issued by the Chief Registrar, Mr. T. A. Elias, is in accordance with Order 49 Rule 4(d) of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019. Importantly, despite the court vacation, the judiciary has outlined measures to ensure that access to justice remains uninterrupted throughout the eight-week break.

Judges Assigned for Urgent Judicial Duties

To uphold justice during the vacation, the Lagos State Judiciary has deployed judges to six different judicial divisions to preside over urgent matters. These assignments will rotate every two weeks, ensuring consistent judicial presence in key divisions.

Ikeja Division

• July 21 – August 1: Hon. Justice M. A. Dada (Mrs.)

• August 4 – August 15: Hon. Justice R. A. Oshodi

• August 18 – August 29: Hon. Justice Y. R. Pinheiro (Mrs.)

• September 1 – September 12: Hon. Justice A. O. Idowu

Lagos Division

• July 21 – August 1: Hon. Justice O. A. Layinka (Mrs.)

• August 4 – August 15: Hon. Justice M. O. Obadina (Mrs.)

• August 18 – August 29: Hon. Justice M. O. Dawodu

• September 1 – September 12: Hon. Justice A. J. Bashua

Badagry Division

• August 4 – August 15: Hon. Justice T. B. Sunmonu

• August 18 – August 29: Hon. Justice E. O. Ashade

Epe Division

• August 4 – August 15: Hon. Justice W. Animahun

• August 18 – August 29: Hon. Justice S. A. Olaitan

Ikorodu Division

• August 4 – August 15: Hon. Justice A. O. Adeyemi

• August 18 – August 29: Hon. Justice B. O. Kalaro

Eti-Osa Division

• August 4 – August 15: Hon. Justice J. E. Oyefeso (Mrs.)

• August 18 – August 29: Hon. Justice O. F. Aigbokhaevbo (Mrs.)

Judiciary Reiterates Access to Justice

According to the Chief Registrar, these structured deployments reflect the Lagos State Judiciary’s continued commitment to ensuring unhindered access to justice, even during the court’s recess period.

The registrar further clarified that the Criminal Division may sit continuously through the vacation. In cases where the assigned judge is unavailable, a vacation judge may be appointed to handle urgent criminal cases.

Procedures for Urgent Civil Cases

In addition to criminal cases, urgent civil matters may also be heard during the vacation. These hearings can take place as long as:

• The matter is deemed urgent, or

• All parties involved consent to proceed during the vacation.

These matters must be presented through a summons in chambers, and can be addressed by either the vacation judge on duty or the judge in charge of the substantive case.

However, no hearings will take place on Sundays or public holidays during the vacation period, except under extraordinary circumstances where immediate judicial attention is required.

End of Vacation and Start of New Legal Year

The 2025 annual vacation for the Lagos High Court officially concludes on Friday, September 19, 2025. Following this, the 2025/2026 Legal Year is scheduled to commence on Monday, September 22, 2025.

To mark the beginning of the new legal year, the New Legal Year Service will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025. The service traditionally includes inter-denominational worship and is attended by judges, magistrates, legal practitioners, and other stakeholders in the justice sector.

This proactive structure demonstrates the Lagos State Judiciary’s firm resolve to balance the well-being of judicial officers with the imperative of timely justice delivery. By ensuring judicial availability during the court’s recess, the judiciary continues to affirm its position as a responsive institution upholding the rule of law.