Judiciary’s support key to managing Abuja says FCT Minister

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has identified the support of the Judicial as key to effective management of Abuja as a city and Territory.

Bello, noted that FCT as a creation of law in all its ramifications, the FCT Administration requires judicial backing to be able to achieve its mandate as managers of the Territory.

The Minister made this known during a courtesy visit to the FCTA by the Chief Judge of the FCT, Hon. Justice Salisu Garba.

“The FCT is a creation of law in all its ramifications and that is why for us that are saddled with the responsibility of running this territory, we are very conscious, very appreciative and also very concerned with matters of law and order.

“That is why among all the institutions of government that are closest in enabling us to be able to achieve our mandate as managers of the Territory.

“I think the FCT Judiciary is number one, because without your support, I don’t see how we can manage Abuja as a city and as a territory. I’m saying so with a high sense of responsibility and appreciation”, he stated.

According to him, in order to expand the Court Infrastructure and improve access to Justice, the FCT Administration will support the FCT Judiciary for the establishment of the Garki Division of the FCT High Court.

While congratulating Justice Garba, the Minister stressed that his appointment came at a time when the FCT needed people of the caliber of the new Chief Judge.

He added that Justice Garba had made the FCT the center point of his career for so many years and very few within the system possessed as much expertise and institutional memory as he does.

He also congratulated the Chief Judge on the elevation of 6 Justices from the FCT High Court to the Court of Appeal and said it was a thing of pride to the FCT.

Bello equally expressed his appreciation to the Justices of the FCT High Court and acknowledged their efforts in the maintenance of law and order in the Territory.

Speaking earlier, Hon. Justice Salisu Garba, said the FCT Minister has provided exemplary leadership in an exceptionally difficult time which he said was an eloquent statement of the Minister’s commitment to the FCT judiciary and the rule of law.

Chief Judge also said: “As an arm of government, ours is a tradition which expresses itself in conviction that a country’s strength lies in the success of its judiciary.

“It is highly commendable that the Hon. Minister has demonstrated manifest interest and commitment in supporting the FCT Judiciary with the view of facilitating quantitative and qualitative administration of justice in line with international best practices.

“This reinforced the FCT High Court’s positive image in the country as one of the courts with the modern system of justice that is fair and impartial, regardless of gender, religion or colour”.