…high court users should take note of the date and prepare
RIVERS, NIGERIA -The iNews Times |
The Rivers State Judiciary has officially announced that the High Court of Rivers State will resume full operations on Thursday, September 18, 2025, marking the end of its annual judicial vacation.
This announcement was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Registrar of the High Court, David Ihua Maduenyi, who confirmed that all judges, magistrates, lawyers, litigants, and court users should take note of the date and prepare to return to normal court activities.
The statement comes after nearly two months of reduced judicial activity during the annual vacation period, which ran from Monday, July 21 to Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, had earlier directed all judges of the High Court to proceed on the statutory break, a yearly tradition designed to allow judicial officers to rest, refresh, and prepare for the new legal year.
To ensure that urgent and time-sensitive cases were not left unattended, Justice Amadi had appointed a number of judges to serve as vacation judges. These judges presided over emergency matters such as bail applications, fundamental rights enforcement cases, and other issues requiring prompt judicial intervention.
The Chief Registrar, in his Wednesday statement, praised the efforts of the vacation judges, noting that they ensured justice delivery was not completely halted despite the break. He added that the Judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the rights of citizens remained steadfast throughout the vacation period.
“The Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, has directed that normal court sittings resume on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Members of the public, legal practitioners, and all relevant stakeholders are enjoined to take note of this date and continue with their regular business at the court,” the statement read in part.
The annual judicial vacation is a practice observed across Nigeria’s judiciary, aimed at maintaining the efficiency of the judicial system. During the vacation, regular court sessions are suspended except for cases considered urgent, allowing judges time to engage in academic research, write judgments, and take a much-needed rest from the intense demands of courtroom proceedings.
With the end of the vacation period, the Rivers State High Court is expected to witness a surge in activities as litigants, lawyers, and the general public return to pursue pending cases, file fresh suits, and seek various judicial remedies. Legal practitioners have welcomed the announcement, noting that many clients have been waiting for the courts to reopen to resolve disputes, obtain injunctions, and advance their cases.
Court watchers also expect that the resumption will be followed by the formal opening of the new legal year, a ceremonial event where the Chief Judge traditionally addresses members of the bar, bench, and the public. This address often sets the tone for the judicial year, highlighting achievements, challenges, and priorities for the months ahead.
Observers believe that the full resumption of judicial activities in the high court is critical for Rivers State, given the importance of the courts in resolving commercial disputes, safeguarding human rights, and maintaining law and order. Business stakeholders in particular have expressed optimism that the reopening of the courts will help speed up the resolution of commercial cases, which is essential for boosting investor confidence and sustaining economic growth in the state.
As the Judiciary prepares to resume normal operations, lawyers, litigants, and the general public have been advised to check with the court registries for updated hearing dates and schedules to avoid delays or missed appearances.
With this resumption, the Rivers State high court reaffirms its central role as the guardian of justice, ready once again to provide a platform where disputes are fairly heard and resolved in accordance with the law.
