By Stanley Onyekwere
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday commissioned a state-of-the-art Office Annex for the Body of Benchers in the Institution and Research District of Abuja, declaring that providing modern infrastructure for the legal ecosystem is a “constitutional and collaborative duty” that strengthens, rather than interferes with, the independence of the judiciary.
The event, which marked the 19th day of a month-long marathon of project commissionings across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), also highlighted major ongoing investments in the legal sector, including new hostels for the Nigerian Law School and critical access roads.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Tinubu emphasized that his administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda relies heavily on resilient, well-equipped institutions.
He described the Body of Benchers as the apex gatekeeper of the Nigerian legal profession, charged with admitting candidates to the Bar and enforcing strict professional discipline.
“Democracy cannot thrive in a vacuum; it requires strong, resilient, and well-equipped institutions to anchor it.
“It is only fitting that an institution of such monumental national significance is housed in an edifice that reflects its prestige, responsibility, and dignity,” the President stated.
Tinubu directly addressed concerns regarding executive-judicial boundaries, clarifying that equipping the legal community simply ensures that those who interpret and uphold national laws can operate with maximum efficiency and excellence.
Beyond the new annex, the President announced that the FCT Administration has commenced the construction of two 300-capacity hostels for the Nigerian Law School in Bwari to improve student welfare, alongside a dedicated Fire Service Station to safeguard the district’s institutions.
Earlier, FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, shared a behind-the-scenes account of how the project came to life through strategic collaboration.
Wike recalled a meeting with the former Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, SAN, who approached him for assistance after the standard FCT budget had already been passed.
“I said, ‘Well, if you’re a prayer warrior, pray. Let me go and meet Mr. President and see what we can do.
“Luckily, he prayed very well, and Mr. President said, ‘Put it in the supplementary budget.’ And that was approved by the National Assembly,” he recounted.
Wike praised Tinubu for his unwavering financial support, noting that the President had never abandoned the FCTA in terms of funding.
The Minister also revealed that a newly constructed critical access road linking the Body of Benchers Secretariat to Nile University, developed in response to traffic concerns raised by the judiciary is scheduled to be officially commissioned by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday, July 8.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Body of Benchers, HRM Albert Akpomudje, SAN, expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu and Minister Wike for delivering the magnificent edifice in record time.
He lauded his predecessor, Asiwaju Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, SAN, whose initial advocacy laid the groundwork for the project.
Akpomudje noted that outside of the primary complex commissioned in 2023, the new annex represents the most significant and visible infrastructural leap for the institution to date.
He emphasized the immense practical value the facility brings to the nation’s highest legal body.
He noted that the new annex is strategically designed to enhance operational efficiency and drastically reduce logistical and accommodation challenges for members traveling to Abuja from across the country, particularly during major statutory programs like the Call to Bar ceremonies.
Looking ahead, Akpomudje hinted at plans to fully optimize the remaining landmass allocated to the institution.
In her vote of thanks, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the new office annex as a major institutional milestone and a deliberate investment in safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system.
Mahmoud expressed confidence that the expanded facility will serve as a vibrant center for discipline, mentorship, and professional excellence, ensuring that the Body of Benchers is fully equipped to preserve the highest ethical standards of the Nigerian legal profession.
Following the annex commissioning, the delegation proceeded to the Nigerian Law School to commission newly completed residences for lecturers and administrative staff.
