Federal High Court Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, lists achievement as court marks golden jubilee
By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka, Abuja
The Chef Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, on Monday, December 11, mentioned some of his achievements since he assumed office as the Chief Judge a few years ago.
The disclosure of some of his contributions to the growth and progress of the Federal High Court was made by the Chief Judge on the occasion of the special court session to ceremoniously mark the Federal High Court legal year 2023/2024 and 50 years anniversary of the establishment of Federal High Court of Nigeria.
Outlining some of his contributions/achievements, the Hon Chief Judge, Justice Tsoho, said that in the year 2020, when the world was ravaged by the Corona Virus, he promptly issued a practice directions for the COVID 19 period which ensured that the Federal High Court was not shut down during the period.
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He issued a practice directions for the exemption of payment of default fees for filling of court processes during the prolonged JUSUN strike.
Other contributions include: “Issuance of practice directions on payment of default fees on late filling of fundamental rights enforcement court processes
“Amcon practice directions was released in 2020; A practice direction was released on pre- election matters in 2022,” he said.
According to the Chief Judge, he also issued a practice direction on Tax Appeal Cases , designation of courts for expedited dispensation of matters relating to AMCON, FIRS, EFCC.
Besides, the Federal High Court Tax Appeal Rules has been gazetted and will be unveiled in the course of the instant programmes.
“The Admiralty Jurisdiction Procedure Rules has just been released and gazetted.
” The Special Task Force set up to handle the influx of Pre-Election Matters was a timely intervention that saved the country from a possible political collapse.
Furthermore, a Special Task Force has recently been set up to handle the trial of terrorism cases.
The Chief Judge stated that the Federal High Court has been a beacon of hope for those seeking justice, a guardian of the constitution and a defender of the rule of law.
The occasion started earlier today with devotional worships held simultaneously at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja FCT and the National Mosque Abuja FCT.
At the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Hon. Chief Judge, Justice John Terhemba Tsoho read the first reading which was taken from the Book of Isaiah 35:1-10.
The judicial vicar of the Abuja Archdiocese Rev Fr. Christopher who represented the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama read the gospel and preached the sermon.
In his sermon, the officiating priest urged his lordships to perform their work with the fear of God, stressing that one day, they will give account of their work to God.
“Whatever you are doing, always remember God, remember the last day, the priest advised.
The devotional worships was followed by a guard of honour and parade mounted by a detachment of the Nigeria Police which was inspected by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.