Tinubu commissions Abuja Court of Appeal complex, tasks judiciary on swift justice

By Stanley Onyekwere

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday officially commissioned the new Abuja Division complex of the Court of Appeal in Dakibyu Districts of Abuja, declaring the ultra-modern facility a definitive statement that the rule of law will always have a “befitting home” under his administration.
The President, who was represented at the ceremony by Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasized that the project aligns seamlessly with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes comprehensive judicial reforms, enhanced funding, and the restructuring of the nation’s legal infrastructure to guarantee a just, rule-based society.
Reflecting on the history of the Abuja Division, the President noted that for too long, the court had operated from a cramped, temporary space—a situation he described as completely unacceptable for a nation seeking true justice.
“A nation that seeks justice must respect the temple of justice. When I visited and saw the conditions, I gave a simple instruction: fix it. And today, we have fixed it,” he stated.
The newly inaugurated world-class complex features two large and eight smaller courtrooms, an expansion explicitly designed to speed up legal proceedings, reduce operational bottlenecks, and ease the severe docket congestion historically experienced in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Tinubu structuralized high praise for the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, jokingly referring to him as “Mr. Project” and “Mr. Fix It.”
The President lauded Wike’s relentless drive, noting that after taking the assignment in May 2024, contractors were on-site by July, and the project was delivered in record time without any cost variations or excuses.
The presidency also commended the project’s handlers, Messrs Visible Construction Limited, citing the complex as a stellar example of what indigenous engineering firms can achieve when given the right opportunities.
The administration reiterated its commitment to supporting local contractors to help them thrive and compete in a fair economic environment.
Addressing the Justices who will preside over the heavy docket of the Abuja Division—which ranges from high-stakes constitutional matters to complex election petitions—the President reminded them of the immense weight of their national responsibilities.
He maintained that providing a state-of-the-art working environment was not an administrative favor, but a fundamental right deserved by the judicial arm of government.
In return, he issued a direct charge to the legal minds of the appellate court to ensure that legal cases must receive speedy attention to restore absolute public confidence.
He added that justice must remain strictly impartial, completely blind to status, pride, or political power.
According to him, the court must firmly re-establish itself as the ultimate and accessible last hope for ordinary citizens.
The commissioning ceremony marks another milestone in the administration’s broader structural push, with the President emphasizing that the Renewed Hope Agenda is an active blueprint rather than a mere political slogan.
“We said we will restore the dignity of our institutions,” the President affirmed, pointing to ongoing, concurrent interventions across the education, healthcare, infrastructure, and power sectors. “Brick by brick, we are rebuilding Nigeria.”
Earlier in his remark, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, noted that the judiciary needs public infrastructure, in order to thrive in the FCT.
Stressing the need for consistent payment of taxes, Wike said: “FCT needs development, but development needs funding. You cannot have development when there’s no fund.”