The Supreme Court of Nigeria and the Court of Appeal Nigeria on Friday went ahead with scheduled judicial activities, disregarding a public holiday declared by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ahead of the Area Council elections.

At the Supreme Court, cases earlier fixed for hearing were entertained, while panels of the Court of Appeal delivered rulings and judgments in several matters, including contract-related disputes. Senior Advocates of Nigeria and other legal practitioners were present in court despite the declared holiday.

In contrast, activities at the Federal High Court and the FCT High Court were largely brought to a halt. The FCT High Court fully complied with the holiday directive, while courtrooms at the Federal High Court near the Ministry of Justice headquarters were opened, but no judges sat for proceedings.

The FCT Minister had announced Friday as a public holiday to allow residents of the Federal Capital Territory to participate in the Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday.

The declaration, however, attracted criticism from civil society organisations, which described the move as arbitrary and without clear precedent.

The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Clement Nwankwo, said no convincing legal or administrative justification was offered for what it termed a sweeping shutdown of public activities.

PLAC acknowledged that promoting voter participation was a legitimate objective but argued that such actions must be lawful, proportionate and consultative.

The organisation added that the abrupt declaration disrupted businesses, academic activities and the work of residents across the FCT, creating avoidable anxiety rather than strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.