Judiciary: No FCT judge will be living in rented houses again – Wike

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Minister of the Federation Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike has declared that before the first tenure of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, no judge of the FCT Courts will be living in a rented quarter.
Wike made this assertion yesterday at the official flag-off of design and construction of four residences (7-bed room duplexes) to be fully furnished in Asokoro District, Abuja, for the heads of courts (Present Court of Appeal, Federal High Court Chief Judge, Chief Judge of the FCT, Abuja and President Industrial Court) respectively.
The minister, who opined that as far as FCT is concerned the era where judges stayed in rented quarters will come to an end, maintained that the provision of infrastructure for the judiciary did not amount to interference by the executive, as the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) was responsible for the construction of public buildings in the FCT.
Recall that the provision of befitting accomodation to the heads of courts was in the wake of commencement of the construction of 40 judges’ quarters in Katampe District, flagged off earlier in November 2024.
Wike explained that the beneficiaries of the houses, with the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) already issued in their names, will retire with the state of the art accomodation constructed for them, which has presidential approval and captured in the 2024 and 2025 budget.
“It is the policy of Mr. President, and that’s why one has to back it up by the National Assembly appropriating it and himself assenting to it.
“I want to make it clear that what we are doing today, is not just for the heads of courts that when they retire, they go, No. As they retire, the property becomes their own. This is the approval of Mr. President, and that is why we issued the C-of-Os in their names, so as they are retiring, they must go home with their houses. That is the true position.
“This project is not a project that we’ll let it be completed, we don’t have history of starting projects and abandoning the projects. No one person will complete this project for us, we are going to complete this project. So, this project must be completed in 12 months’ time, and handed over to you, and the day you are retiring, stay fine. It’s your house.
“Before the first tenure of Mr. President ends, no judge of the FCT will be living in a rented quarter, and we are making sure that this is done.
“It’s only the FCT that we are relating with, as the judges of FCT. That is why we are building for the Court of Appeal, 10 duplexes, will be handed over by Mr. President by the end of the year, 10 for the Federal High Court, 20 for the FCT High Court.
“Our judges, judicial officers, you deserve the best, and I thank God that Mr. President has made it as his own policy to see that during his tenure, the narrative is a different narrative, and we’re happy”, he stated.
Also speaking while performing the official flag off of the project, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, said the development will enhance, among others, institutional dignity of the judiciary, thereby enabling the discharge of their duties with focus and authority.
Fagbemi lauded Bola Tinubu and the FCT Minister for the administration’s clear prioritisation of institutional strengthening, judicial independence and infrastructural investment.
According to him: “The provision of secure and befitting accommodation for heads of cost will enhance operational independence, personal security, and institutional dignity, thereby enabling judicial officers to discharge their duties with great focus and authority.
“The issue of corruption will be reduced to the barest minimum because even if you accuse the judiciary of corruption, what are they going to use the money for? For accommodation? It’s already guaranteed”.
On his part, FCT Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf, who described the development as a landmark initiative, which would serve as a catalyst for sustained reform, efficient justice delivery, and enduring public trust in the institutions.
He added that the initiative is therefore not merely architectural; it is a strategic affirmation of the welfare, security, and independence of judicial officers, elements essential to a credible and efficient judiciary.
“The prioritization of purpose-built residences for heads of courts underscores a deep appreciation for the conditions under which justice is conceived, deliberated, and delivered.
“A supportive environment for the bench is inseparable from an effective rule of law, and this project embodies the convergence of infrastructural foresight with judicial reform”, he stated.
Earlier, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as a collective commitment to strengthening the pillars of justice and governance in the nation’s capital.
“This project is about honour, dignity, and institutional pride, providing befitting residences for our esteemed Heads of Courts whose wisdom and integrity uphold the rule of law in the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, she affirmed.