Federal High Court Updates Rules For 2027 Pre-Election Cases

(Justice John Terhemba Tsoho. Photo by The Sun Nigeria)

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, has issued the Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions (Amendment), 2026.

The new directions amend the initial Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions, 2026, which took effect from Friday, June 26, 2026.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Director of Information of the Federal High Court, Dr Catherine Oby Christopher, explained that the amended Practice Directions were made pursuant to Sections 254 and 285(9), (10) and (14) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), as well as in line with Sections 29(5) and 88(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, alongside all other powers enabling the Chief Judge to effect such amendments.

According to the statement, “In line with the initial Practice Directions, the amendment is intended to enhance the speedy, efficient, and fair determination of pre-election matters in keeping with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

It also aims at enhancing the Electoral Act, 2026, and other applicable laws.”

The statement further urged legal practitioners to familiarise themselves with the new directions in order to facilitate the speedy adjudication of political cases that may arise ahead of the 2027 general elections.