*Says “We Will Not Stop At Providing Residences For Judicial Officers”
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President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated 20 fully furnished residential units for judges of the Federal Capital Territory High Court at the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe, Abuja, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening judicial independence through improved welfare, security and working conditions.
The President, represented at Wednesday’s ceremony by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said judicial independence could not be achieved through constitutional declarations alone without providing judges with secure and dignified living conditions.
Tinubu said judges could not be expected to dispense justice without fear or favour when their basic comfort, security and peace of mind were left to chance.
“We cannot expect judges to dispense justice without fear or favour if their basic comfort, security and peace of mind are left to chance. True judicial independence is built on the dignity of our judicial officers,” he said.
According to the President, the provision of modern residential quarters would protect judicial officers from vulnerability and demonstrate that Nigeria values those entrusted with interpreting its laws.
“By providing these state-of-the-art residential quarters across multiple courts, we ensure that our judges and justices work from a place of security, comfort and utmost dignity.
“This is a deliberate shield against vulnerability, a statement that Nigeria values those who interpret our laws,” he added.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, disclosed that the newly inaugurated houses were intended to be transferred to the benefiting judges under an owner-occupier arrangement, subject to the necessary approval.
Wike said he would seek the approval of President Tinubu and the support of the Attorney-General to enable the judges to take ownership of the properties rather than merely occupy them as official residences.
He recalled that one of the judges had indicated that the beneficiaries were ready to move into the houses immediately after the inauguration.
“One of the judges, who incidentally is from my state, said, ‘Look, all our minds are here, and as you leave, we are packing into our houses.’ I said, ‘On what basis?’ It is still on owner-occupier,” Wike said.
The minister explained that although he implemented a similar arrangement while serving as Rivers State governor, he now required presidential approval before adopting the policy in the FCT.
“I know that when I was governor, I did that, but now I am under somebody and I must seek the approval. Luckily, the Attorney-General is here, and that is what it is supposed to be that the houses be given on an owner-occupier basis.
“I can assure you that with the support of the Attorney-General, that approval will be gotten,” he said.
Wike said the 20 completed housing units formed the first phase of a planned 40-unit residential estate for FCT High Court judges.
He assured that the FCT Administration would construct another 20 houses before the expiration of President Tinubu’s first term.
“We are not going to stop here. We are going to build more houses for the judges of the FCT. I am told that the number is such that we cannot carry all of them at the same time.
“I believe that before the first tenure of Mr President expires, we would have gone far in the construction of 20 more houses for the judges of the FCT,” he said.
The minister explained that the project was designed to provide secure, functional and comfortable accommodation for judicial officers and enhance the efficient administration of justice.
Wike also disclosed that the administration’s intervention in the judiciary would extend beyond residential accommodation.
He said structures being constructed for judges’ courts and magistrates’ courts would be handed over to the Chief Judge of the FCT before the end of 2026.
“We are not going to stop at residences. I know that before the end of the year, we are handing over to the Chief Judge of the FCT structures for judges’ courts and magistrates’ courts so that they will be able to carry out their work very efficiently,” he said.
Wike maintained that the housing and court projects were in fulfilment of the President’s commitment to strengthening judicial independence by improving the welfare, safety and working environment of judicial officers.
President Tinubu recalled that his administration had previously inaugurated 10 housing units for justices of the Court of Appeal and another 10 for judges of the Federal High Court.
He also said the first phase of 10 housing units for lecturers and other employees of the Nigerian Law School in Bwari had been inaugurated, while construction of the second phase was already underway.
The President added that foundations had been laid for residential quarters for judges of the National Industrial Court and members of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
“Today’s event is not merely the unveiling of another building. It is a testament to a deliberate and sustained commitment to strengthening one of the vital pillars of our democracy—the judiciary,” he said.
Tinubu commended Wike for what he described as his tireless, dynamic and focused approach to transforming Abuja into a capital that reflects Nigeria’s pride.
The Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Husseini Baba-Yunusa, described the project as a deliberate investment in the dignity and welfare of judicial officers.
He said the initiative, which began as a vision and was driven by Wike’s commitment, had developed into a significant intervention in the administration of justice.
Baba-Yunusa noted that democratic societies depend on strong institutions, with the judiciary occupying a unique position because of its responsibility to interpret the law, protect rights, settle disputes, restrain arbitrary conduct and preserve constitutional balance.
He said judges required adequate welfare and appropriate working conditions to perform those responsibilities independently and courageously.
“For judges to discharge this onerous duty with courage, independence and clarity of mind, their welfare and working conditions must receive consistent and practical attention,” he said.
The Chief Judge stressed that the welfare of judges should not be regarded as a personal privilege but as a necessity for the proper functioning of the judicial institution.
“The welfare of judicial officers is not a privilege; it is an institutional necessity that promotes stability, enhances productivity, safeguards personal security and preserves the dignity that must accompany judicial office,” he added.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Richard Dauda, disclosed that the contract for the project was awarded in September 2024.
Dauda said the development comprises 20 fully furnished five-bedroom duplexes, each with attached boys’ quarters.
He explained that the estate was also provided with an event centre, neighbourhood shopping facilities, a gatehouse, generator houses equipped with generators, landscaped recreational grounds and perimeter fencing.
The inauguration formed part of activities marking the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration and the FCT Administration’s ongoing infrastructure development programme.
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