The Federal High Court has unveiled the Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions (Amendment), 2026, introducing fresh measures aimed at accelerating the hearing and determination of pre-election disputes in line with constitutional and electoral timelines.
The development was disclosed in a press release issued on Tuesday by the Director of Information of the Federal High Court, Dr. Catherine Oby Christopher, who said the amended Practice Directions were issued by the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, OFR. The amendment revised the initial Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions, 2026, which came into effect on June 26, 2026.
According to the statement, 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 Sections 29(5) and 88(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and other enabling legal provisions.
The court explained that the amendment is intended to enhance the speedy, efficient and fair determination of pre-election matters, in keeping with the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, 2026, and other applicable laws.
The Federal High Court noted that the revised Practice Directions reaffirm the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that pre-election cases are resolved expeditiously, transparently and in accordance with due process.
