JUST IN: Federal High Court Announces Major Changes to Pre-Election Cases

The Federal High Court has introduced fresh practice directions for the handling of pre-election cases across Nigeria, in a move aimed at speeding up the resolution of electoral disputes and reducing delays in court proceedings.

The new guidelines, known as the Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions, 2026, were issued by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho.

The development was announced on Tuesday in Abuja through a statement released by the court’s Director of Information, Dr. Catherine-Oby Christopher.

According to the court, the new rules are designed to ensure quicker, fairer and more efficient handling of pre-election disputes, especially as political activities begin to intensify ahead of future elections.

The court said the updated practice directions will help judges focus only on issues that are genuinely in dispute, while reducing time wasted on unnecessary applications and avoidable delays.

The Chief Judge explained that the new framework is intended to promote fairness, improve efficiency and ensure that election-related cases are treated with urgency, in line with constitutional and electoral law provisions.

He noted that the directives were issued under powers granted by Sections 254 and 285 of the 1999 Constitution, alongside relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

“The Federal High Court of Nigeria hereby notifies members of the Bar, political parties, litigants and the general public that the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, OFR, has issued the Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions, 2026.

“It is instructive that the current Practice Directions has repealed the 2022 version,” the statement said.

One of the major changes introduced is the extension of court registry operations to weekends and public holidays for pre-election matters.

Under the new directive, court registries in all judicial divisions will now open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm strictly for filing pre-election cases.

This move is expected to address time-sensitive issues often associated with election disputes.

The court also clarified that all pre-election cases must be initiated through an Originating Summons.

However, where allegations involve fraud, forgery or other highly disputed facts, parties will be required to provide detailed particulars and may also present witnesses or documentary evidence during hearings.

The court further stated that all parties relevant to disputes arising from primary elections must be joined in such suits to enable proper and effective determination of the case.