The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured that by the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first term in office, no judge of the FCT High Court will be living in a rented apartment.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the construction of official residences for the Heads of Courts in Abuja on Monday, Wike said the project formed part of the approved 2024 and 2025 FCT budgets, as passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by the President.
According to him, “Before the end of Mr President’s first tenure, no judge of the FCT High Court will be living in a rented quarter.
“I didn’t say Federal High Court or National Industrial Court, I said FCT High Court, ” he said.
According to Wike, President Tinubu had made the welfare of judicial officers a priority upon his appointment as FCT Minister.
He said that the president, directed that the administration take steps to provide permanent housing for judges to enhance their safety and independence.
“Sometimes, you don’t even know the landlord or the neighbours. These judges preside over sensitive cases—you never know what might happen,” Wike added.
He explained that the new official residences would become the personal property of the judges upon retirement, with Certificates of Occupancy already issued in the beneficiaries’ names.
The initiative covers the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judges of the Federal and FCT High Courts, and the Judge of the National Industrial Court.
Wike also clarified that the construction of judicial housing was part of the FCT Administration’s constitutional role and does not interfere with the judiciary’s independence.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), lauded the move, describing it as a step toward strengthening judicial independence.
“The provision of secure and befitting accommodation will enhance the operational independence and dignity of the judiciary,” he said.
Fagbemi added that addressing basic needs like housing would reduce the risk of corruption.
“Even if you accuse the judiciary of corruption, what will they use the money for? Accommodation? It’s already guaranteed,” he noted.
The housing programme followed the earlier construction of 40 judges’ quarters in Katampe District, as well as new magistrate courts in Jabi.
