ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured that by the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first tenure, no judge in the FCT will still be living in a rented apartment.
Wike gave the assurance on Monday during the flag-off ceremony for the design and construction of residences for the Heads of Courts of the FCT, stressing that the days when judges lived in rented quarters “will come to an end.”
“Let me also say what Mr President has done for the FCT. Before the first tenure of Mr President ends, no judge of the FCT will be living in a rented quarter.
“I said before the first tenure ends, no judge of the FCT High Court I didn’t say Federal High Court, I didn’t say National Industrial Court but of the FCT High Court, will be staying in a rented quarter,” he said.
The initiative follows the flag-off of new magistrate courts in Jabi in September 2025 and the earlier construction of 40 judges’ quarters in Katampe District in November 2024.
Wike maintained that providing infrastructure for the judiciary does not amount to executive interference, explaining that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) is constitutionally responsible for constructing public buildings within the FCT.
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Clarifying further, the minister revealed that the heads of courts — including 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 would retire with the houses built for them.
“Let me make it clear. What we are doing today is not just for the heads of courts, and when they retire, they go, no.
“As they retire, the properties become their own. And that is the approval of Mr President. That is why we issued the seal of oaths in their names.
“So, all of you who are here now, don’t think that when they are leaving tomorrow, you will see in the pages of the newspaper, ‘Retired Chief Justice of the FCT has taken our house.’ Please, the policy of Mr President is that these heads of court, as they are retiring, must go home with their houses. And that is the true position,” Wike said.
In his remarks, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, commended the initiative, noting that providing accommodation for heads of courts would promote the judiciary’s institutional dignity and operational independence.
“The provision of secure and befitting accommodation for heads of court will enhance operational independence, personal security, and institutional dignity, thereby enabling judicial officers to discharge their duties with great focus and authority.
“The issue of corruption will be reduced to the barest minimum because even if you accuse the judiciary of corruption, what are they going to use the money for? For accommodation? It’s already guaranteed,” Fagbemi stated.
He also thanked President Tinubu and the FCT Minister for prioritising institutional strengthening, judicial independence, and infrastructural investment.