The Federal High Court (FHC) has issued the Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions, 2026, aimed at ensuring the fair, impartial and expeditious determination of pre-election matters across the country.
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John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the FHC, said the new Practice Directions were issued in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Sections 254, 285 (9), (10) and (14) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Sections 29 (5) and 88 (2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, among other enabling provisions.
John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the FHC, said the new Practice Directions were issued in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Sections 254, 285 (9), (10) and (14) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Sections 29 (5) and 88 (2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, among other enabling provisions.
Tsoho disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by Catherine-Oby Christopher, the court’s Director of Information.
According to the court, the new framework is designed to ensure that election-related disputes are narrowed strictly to issues in controversy, while reducing delays occasioned by interlocutory applications.
Justice Tsoho said the reforms are intended to minimise time spent on preliminary objections, encourage possible settlement between parties before trial, and significantly reduce adjournments in the hearing of pre-election cases.
He noted that the Practice Directions align with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, 2026, and other applicable laws governing electoral disputes.
The Chief Judge explained that the new rules repeal the 2022 Practice Directions, adding that the updated framework is aimed at strengthening efficiency and speed in the adjudication of politically sensitive cases.
“The Federal High Court of Nigeria hereby notifies members of the Bar, political parties, litigants and the general public that the Honourable the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, OFR, has issued the Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions, 2026,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019 will continue to apply in areas not specifically covered by the new Practice Directions.
It further stated that judges will pay particular attention to relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the Constitution in handling pre-election matters.
Under the new framework, parties challenging the conduct or outcome of party primaries are required to join all relevant stakeholders as respondents to enable the court to effectively determine disputes.
Given the time-sensitive nature of pre-election cases, the court also directed that its registries across all judicial divisions will remain open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays between 10am and 2pm for the filing of such matters.
The Practice Directions provide that pre-election cases shall be commenced by originating summons, except where allegations of fraud, forgery, or highly contentious facts arise, in which case witnesses may be called and oral evidence taken.
The court may also summon individuals to produce documents or give evidence under examination or cross-examination during proceedings.
To further enhance efficiency, the court stated that electronic mail and other digital communication tools may be used to notify counsel of urgent court activities, while judges are permitted to adopt virtual hearings where appropriate.
Upon conclusion of filings, the court is required to fix hearing dates within seven days, with priority accorded to all pre-election matters until judgment is delivered.
The rules also provide that where a party is absent from a scheduled hearing despite being duly notified, the court may proceed and deem the address of the absent party adopted.
In addition, the Practice Directions limit adjournments to a maximum of two per party, as part of measures to curb unnecessary delays and ensure speedy determination of election-related disputes.
