1
. Says no High Court Judge Will Live In Rented Quarters Before 2027
Toyin Adebayo
Judges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will now own the official houses they occupy after retirement, following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, announced this on Monday during the flag-off of the FCT Judiciary Housing Project in Abuja, describing the initiative as one of the most significant reforms under the current administration.
Wike said the decision was in line with President Tinubu’s directive to improve the welfare and performance of judicial officers in the country.
“Sometimes you don’t know the landlords of these houses. Sometimes you don’t know their neighbors. These judges preside over criminal matters or other serious matters indeed. And of course, you never can tell what will happen”.
“What we are doing today is not just for heads of courts while they are in service. As they retire, the property becomes their own. This is the approval of Mr. President, and that is why we issued the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os) in their names,” Wike stated.
He added that the move was a deliberate effort to ensure that no FCT judge would retire without a home or be forced to live in rented accommodation.
“Before the first tenure of Mr. President ends, no judge of the FCT High Court will be living in a rented quarter. That will come to an end, and we are making sure that this is done,” the Minister assured.
Wike explained that the welfare initiative for judges is part of the 2024 and 2025 FCT budgets, duly approved by the National Assembly and assented to by the President.
He commended President Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice for their support, noting that the President has remained consistent in his promise to transform the judiciary.
“Let the truth be told what is happening today has never happened before in the FCT. Mr. President has changed the narrative because he believes the judiciary deserves the best. He does not make promises and fail,” Wike said.
The Minister disclosed that the FCT Administration is constructing 10 duplexes for the Court of Appeal, 10 for the Federal High Court, and 20 for the FCT High Court, all expected to be completed within 12 months and handed over to the judiciary.
To ensure timely completion, Wike settled an on-site disagreement between the FCDA and the project contractor, insisting that there would be no contract variation or extension.
“We don’t have a history of starting projects and abandoning them. The agreement says 12 months no variation, no excuses. We have done the soil test, provided the funds, and the work must be delivered as scheduled,” he warned.
The Minister further announced that the FCT High Court will be digitalized under the 2025 budget, adding that the move is part of the administration’s broader judicial reforms.
Wike lauded the Attorney-General for championing the digital court initiative and reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s determination to create a conducive environment for judges to perform optimally.
“Our judges deserve the best, and I thank God that Mr. President has made it a policy to ensure that during his tenure, the welfare of judicial officers takes a new turn,” he said.
The project, he stressed, underscores the commitment of President Tinubu’s administration to institutional reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at restoring dignity, independence, and efficiency to the judiciary.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, for their commitment to judicial welfare and reforms. Fagbemi described the initiative as a landmark development that will redefine access to justice and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions. He said the project demonstrates the Tinubu administration’s determination to promote judicial independence, enhance the living conditions of judicial officers, and consolidate the rule of law.
Fagbemi highlighted the construction of residences for the heads of key courts including the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, and FCT High Court as a “tangible expression” of President Tinubu’s vision for a robust justice system. Commending Wike’s leadership, he said, “The Honourable Minister has a track record of fulfilling promises. When he says this project will be delivered within 12 months, I believe him because he has never failed.” The Attorney-General noted that the project will boost judicial officers’ independence, integrity, and operational confidence, adding that improved welfare will minimize corruption and strengthen the rule of law.
He further recalled that President Tinubu recently approved a 300.2 percent salary increase for judicial officers the first in over two decades as part of ongoing efforts to raise judicial welfare. Fagbemi praised Wike’s initiative as a legacy-setting achievement, urging state governments to emulate the Federal Government’s example. “The FCT Minister has set a benchmark for others to follow,” he said. “When courts are well equipped, justice is faster, trust is deeper, and democracy becomes stronger.” The Attorney-General concluded that the project is a symbol of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s resolve to uphold judicial independence and ensure justice for all Nigerians.
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.
She, therefore, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose visionary leadership continues to redefine infrastructure delivery across the nation and particularly within the FCT, just as she applauded the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike for his dynamic leadership, relentless drive, and practical commitment to transforming Abuja’s infrastructure landscape.
