By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike said that the building of more houses for judges by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is part of continuous support to enhance judiciary productivity, reduce delays, and uphold the independence and integrity of the judiciary.
This was contained in a press release signed on Monday by Lere Olayinka,Senior Special Assistant for Public Communications and Social Media.
Wike disclosed that budgetary provisions had been made to construct additional residential houses for FCT High Court judges to mitigate housing shortages and ensure all judicial officers are appropriately accommodated.
In a goodwill message at the Special Court session to formally mark the commencement of the 2025/2026 legal year of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday, the minister said, “Well-equipped court facilities, chambers, and support infrastructure ensure that judicial work is conducted in a professional, safe, and conducive environment.”
He disclosed that “under the President’s decisive action, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has formally handed over the Certificate of Occupancy for the Supreme Court’s land and commenced the full perimeter fencing of the entire complex to safeguard the nation’s apex court against encroachment and security breaches. This swift, long-awaited intervention gives the apex court of our beloved country the much-needed confidence-building that had not been done in past administrations. This confidence building action trickles down to each arm of the judiciary”, he stated.
The minister also listed various interventions and supports by the president for the judiciary through the FCTA, including the ongoing construction of secure and befitting residential quarters for Heads of Courts within the FCT and the ongoing construction of a new Magistrate Court Complex in Jabi District to expand access to justice for FCT residents and reduce the burden on existing court infrastructure.
Others are construction of staff quarters for the Nigerian Law School in the FCT and design and construction of the Court of Appeal Abuja Division Complex, as well as residences of the justices of the National Industrial High Court Abuja Division and Federal High Court Abuja Division.
He explained that the projects were designed to directly support judges in the performance of their duties, saying that “The reasoning of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is to provide comfortable and secure accommodation that allows judges to focus entirely on the timely and efficient administration of justice, free from the distractions of inadequate living conditions.”
Reiterating the continued support of the FCTA for the implementation of justice reforms, Wike said, “As we step into the new legal year, the FCT Administration remains resolute in its determination to further support the implementation of justice reforms. Our priorities for the 2025/2026 legal year are focused on consolidating the gains made and expanding support where it is most needed.
“We will aggressively push for the timely completion of the new residential quarters for Heads of Courts and the Jabi Magistrate Court Complex to ensure prompt utilization.
“Furthermore, we have made budgetary provisions to construct additional residential houses for FCT High Court judges to mitigate housing shortages and ensure all judicial officers are appropriately accommodated.
“We will continue to collaborate with the various FCT-based judiciaries (including the Court of Appeal) to support the digitization of court proceedings and registries to improve efficiency, reduce manual processes, and accelerate the dispensation of justice.
“Let me state that Justice must never be compromised under any circumstances, for it is the bedrock of our democracy and the safeguard of public trust. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders—judges, judges, legal practitioners, government agencies, and citizens alike—to work collaboratively to strengthen and improve our judicial system. I am confident that the commencement of this 2025/2026 legal year will herald a period of unprecedented success, wisdom, and efficiency for the Court of Appeal.”
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