The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the provision of residential quarters for judicial officers is aimed at improving their welfare, security and efficiency, and not to influence or compromise the independence of the judiciary.
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Wike spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during the commissioning of 10 fully furnished Court of Appeal judges’ quarters at Katampe District and the flag-off of additional residential quarters for judges of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria and members of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
President Bola Tinubu was represented at the event by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
The FCT Administration said the Court of Appeal quarters form part of a broader project for the design and construction of 40 judges’ quarters in Katampe District, with 10 units specifically delivered for justices of the Court of Appeal.
According to the project overview, the completed estate comprises 10 fully furnished five-bedroom duplexes, each with boys’ quarters, as well as an event centre, neighbourhood shop, gatehouse, generator houses, recreational ground, landscaping, perimeter fencing, asphalt-paved access roads, walkways, electricity supply and water reticulation.
Wike said the project was undertaken in obedience to President Tinubu’s directive to support the judiciary with befitting infrastructure and accommodation.
He said the Federal Government had not only approved a new complex for the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal but also directed the provision of residences for justices.
The minister explained that the land used for the project had been revoked in the public interest after it remained undeveloped for about 15 years, despite being allocated to a private entity.
He said criticisms that he had “grabbed” the land were misplaced, adding that members of the public could now see that the land was taken for the development of accommodation for judicial officers.
“They can now see that I didn’t come to grab land. I only came to see where we can develop for the judicial officers,” Wike said.
The minister also disclosed that more land around the judges’ quarters had been taken over to secure the environment and prevent private developments that could expose judicial officers to security risks.
According to him, a police station will also be constructed around the area, although as a separate project.
Wike said judicial officers deserve secured and decent accommodation because of the sensitive nature of their work, stressing that poor housing and unsafe living conditions can affect the administration of justice.
Responding to criticism that such projects may be intended to buy over the judiciary, Wike said his record as governor of Rivers State showed that his support for judicial institutions was driven by public interest and not personal gain.
He recalled that while serving as governor, many cases involving Rivers State were being heard at the National Industrial Court in Bayelsa State because there was no Industrial Court facility in Rivers.
According to him, he approached the then President of the National Industrial Court and requested the designs for a court facility, after which his administration built the court and provided accommodation for judicial officers.
“When I was governor, we used to go to Bayelsa State for Industrial Court and 80 percent of the cases came from Rivers,” Wike said.
“So I said, why are we going to Bayelsa? I met the then President of the Industrial Court. He said the state was not willing, but I said, ‘I’m willing, give me the designs,’ and we built for them, provided accommodation for them, and today our people no longer go to Bayelsa to have their cases,” he added.
Wike also recalled that he supported the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt despite the fact that the appellate court had previously nullified his election.
He said refusing to support the judiciary because of an unfavourable judgment would only punish the people who rely on the courts for justice.
“Justice Bulkachuwa was the President of the Court of Appeal and my election was nullified, so ordinarily I would not agree to do anything, but who is going to lose? My people in the state will lose,” Wike said.
He added that if he had waited for the Federal Government to provide such facilities, the people of Rivers State would have waited longer.
The FCT Minister urged state governments not to leave all judicial infrastructure to the Federal Government, noting that courts located in states primarily serve residents of those states.
“Federal Government cannot do everything. I challenge states and governors: if there is a division in your state, do the same thing. It doesn’t cost much. If you support the judiciary, that independence we are talking about, they will have it,” he said.
He said governors should support Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and Industrial Court divisions in their states with befitting facilities and accommodation for judicial officers.
Wike also warned against poor maintenance culture, urging the judiciary to ensure that the new quarters are properly maintained.
He said government projects often deteriorate because occupants treat them as public property and not as facilities placed in their care.
The minister said the condition of the estate should remain the same in six months, adding that cleanliness and proper maintenance must be taken seriously.
He maintained that providing proper accommodation for judges is part of strengthening justice delivery, protecting judicial officers and supporting the independence of the judiciary.
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