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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that ongoing judicial infrastructure projects in Abuja are aimed at compromising the independence of the judiciary, insisting that the interventions are designed to strengthen, not weaken, the third arm of government.
Wike spoke on Thursday after inspecting key judicial projects in the nation’s capital, including the Court of Appeal complex, judges’ quarters and official residences for heads of courts.
He said the projects, which are being executed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the supervision of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), are presidential interventions targeted at improving judges’ welfare, security and overall efficiency.
“There is nothing you will do that critics will not criticise. Before now, they complained that judges had nowhere to stay to do their work effectively. Now that government is providing accommodation, they say it is an attempt to buy them. How many people can you buy?” Wike queried.
The minister stressed that no democracy can thrive without a strong and independent judiciary, adding that providing decent housing and a secure environment for judges does not in any way undermine their constitutional independence.
“You can’t talk about democracy without talking about the judiciary. You also can’t expect them to perform efficiently when they don’t have befitting places to stay. Even when funds are released to the judiciary, it is still the executive that provides the funds,” he said.
Wike explained that the projects followed a clear directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shortly after his inauguration in May 2023, mandating the FCT Administration to reduce the accommodation burden on judges and improve their welfare.
According to him, one of the flagship projects a Court of Appeal division with a separate administrative headquarters is already between 85 and 90 per cent completed.
“We were there this morning and saw that the work is almost finished. That directive was very clear, and we are glad it is being faithfully implemented,” he said.
He disclosed that the FCT Administration is also constructing 40 residential houses for judges 20 for the FCT High Court, 10 for the Court of Appeal and 10 for the Federal High Court with plans underway to commence similar housing for the National Industrial Court.
The minister further revealed that official residences, known as “Houses of Courts,” are being built for heads of courts, including the President of the Court of Appeal, President of the National Industrial Court, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and Chief Judge of the FCT High Court.
“With the speed of work we are seeing, by June or July these projects will be handed over for Mr President to formally present to the judiciary,” Wike said, describing the development as unprecedented in Nigeria’s history.
Addressing concerns over earlier delays in completing the Court of Appeal complex, Wike attributed the setback to unusually heavy rainfall last year but assured that the project is now nearing completion and will be commissioned during President Tinubu’s third year in office.
He expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, reaffirming the commitment of the Tinubu administration to strengthening the judiciary as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s democratic system.
