The Lagos State judiciary has officially commenced its annual long vacation, which spans from Monday, July 22, to Friday, September 13, 2024. This announcement was made via a public notice signed by Magistrate Tajudeen Elias, the acting Registrar of the Lagos Judiciary, on behalf of the Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba. The notice clarifies that the vacation period is in accordance with Order 49 Rule 4 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure Rules, 2019).
Justice Alogba’s statement reads: “It is hereby stated for general information that the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has, pursuant to Order 49 Rule 4 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure Rules, 2019), approved that Monday, the 22nd day of July, 2024, to Friday, the 13th day of September, 2024, both dates inclusive, shall be the period filed for the long vacation.”
To ensure that urgent matters are addressed during this period, the judiciary has appointed vacation judges who will be on duty across the seven judicial divisions of Lagos State. These judges are designated to handle critical cases that may arise during the vacation.
In the Ikeja division, the schedule for vacation judges is as follows:
– Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe will preside from Monday, July 22, 2024, to Friday, August 2, 2024.
– Justice Ibironke Harrison will take over from Monday, August 5, 2024, to Friday, August 16, 2024.
– Justice Abdulfatai Lawal will be in charge from Monday, August 19, 2024, to Friday, August 30, 2024.
– Justice Aishat Opesanwo will handle cases from Monday, September 2, 2024, to Friday, September 13, 2024.
In the Lagos Division, the assigned vacation judges are:
– Justice Emmanuel Ogundare
– Justice Serifat Sonaike
– Justice Adedayo Oyebanji
– Justice Olumuyiwa Martins
These judges will preside over cases during the corresponding periods as outlined above.
For the Badagry Division, Justice Matthias Dawodu will serve from Monday, August 5, 2024, to Friday, August 16, 2024, while Justice Obafemi Adamson will take over from Monday, August 19, 2024, to Friday, August 30, 2024.
In the Epe Division, the appointed vacation judges are Justice Wasiu Animahun and Justice Ganiyu Safari.
The Ikorodu Division will see Justice Olufunke Sule-Amzat and Justice Rahman Oshodi serving as vacation judges.
In the Eti-Osa Division, Justice Kudirat Jose and Justice Oyindamola Ogala will be on duty, while Justice Animaun Bashua and Justice Kafeel Dawodu are appointed for the Yaba/Surulere Division.
The public notice also emphasizes that despite the long vacation, the Criminal Division of the High Court of Lagos State will remain operational throughout the period. This means that any case or matter considered urgent can still be heard during the vacation, provided it is not on a Sunday or a public holiday. Such cases can be heard if a judge agrees to do so at the request of all parties involved.
Additionally, the notice states: “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 annual long vacation will conclude on Friday, September 13, 2024. The 2024/2025 Legal Year will commence shortly after, on Monday, September 16, 2024. The New Legal Year services are scheduled to be held on Monday, September 29, 2024.
This structured approach ensures that the judiciary remains functional even during its long vacation, allowing urgent legal matters to be addressed promptly while giving judges a much-needed break. The appointed vacation judges play a critical role in maintaining judicial services during this period, ensuring that justice is not delayed or denied.
