The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that no judge of the FCT High Court will be living in rented accommodation by the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first tenure in office, as he kicked off the construction of residential quarters for Heads of Courts in Abuja.
Describing the project as the most significant among all recent FCT development initiatives, Wike said the move reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers across the country.
The minister said, “Today is the most important of all the kick-off ceremonies we’ve done. When Mr. President appointed us, he made it clear that improving the welfare and enhancing the performance of judicial officers must be a priority. We cannot continue to see judges living in rented houses—sometimes not knowing their landlords or their neighbors. This is unacceptable.”
According to Wike, the policy, approved by President Tinubu and backed by the National Assembly through the 2024 and 2025 FCT budgets, provides that heads of courts will retain ownership of their official residences upon retirement.
He said, “As they retire, the property becomes theirs. This is the approval of Mr. President. Please, don’t be misled when you see headlines like ‘Retired Chief Judge Converts Our House.’ The policy is clear—when they retire, they go home with their houses.”
The project, which covers the design and construction of befitting residences for heads of the Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, and FCT High Court, is to be completed within 12 months.
Wike settled a brief disagreement between project officials on the duration of work.
“ES, you said 12 months; contractor, you said 15 months. So which one? It’s 12 months—settled!” he declared.
He warned against project delays and variations, saying, “There will be no variation. Don’t come later and say you discovered something new in the soil. You did the tests and signed the contract. We’ve mobilized you and have funds to pay. Deliver within 12 months.”
Wike also highlighted that the project aligns with Tinubu’s vision for a modernised judiciary.
“Before the first tenure of Mr. President ends, no judge of the FCT will live in a rented quarter. And I assure you this project will be completed and handed over on schedule,” the minister added
Earlier, the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as a milestone in 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,” she said.
Mahmoud commended President Tinubu’s visionary leadership and Wike’s “relentless drive and practical commitment” to transforming Abuja’s infrastructure landscape.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), hailed the initiative as “a tangible expression of the President’s vision that a robust judiciary is essential to national development and democratic consolidation.”
Fagbemi lauded Wike’s leadership for translating executive support into practical outcomes.
“Your leadership has been instrumental in turning policy into tangible results that will strengthen our justice system,” he noted.
He also pointed out that President Tinubu’s administration has shown unprecedented commitment to judicial welfare and independence.
He said, “Not too long ago, the President raised the emoluments of judicial officers by over 300 per cent, a feat not achieved in more than 20 years. Now, with this housing project, the issue of accommodation will no longer be a problem.”
Fagbemi added that the initiative should serve as a model for state governments, “Future FCT ministers will be judged by this benchmark. Governors should take a cue and invest in the judiciary because a functional, well-equipped judiciary is the guarantee of peace, stability, and investor confidence.”
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