FCT judges to get official residences before end of Tinubu’s first term – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced that President Bola Tinubu is committed to ensuring that no judge in the FCT will have to live in rented apartments by the end of his first tenure.

Wike made the statement on Monday during the official flag-off of the design and construction of residences for the Heads of Courts in the FCT. He emphasized that the era of judges residing in rented quarters “will come to an end,” highlighting the government’s dedication to improving the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers.

“Let me also say what Mr President has done for the FCT. Before the first tenure of Mr President ends, no judge of the FCT will be living in a rented quarter.

“I said before the first tenure ends, no judge of the FCT High Court; I didn’t say Federal High Court, I didn’t say National Industrial Court, but of the FCT High Court, will be staying in a rented quarter,” he said.

The provision of houses to the heads of courts follows the flag-off of the construction of new magistrate courts in Jabi in September 2025, and the construction of 40 judges’ quarters in Katampe District, flagged off earlier in November 2024.

The minister has continued to insist that the provision of infrastructure for the judiciary did not amount to interference by the executive, noting that the Federal Capital Development Authority was responsible for the construction of public buildings in the FCT.

Speaking during the flag off on Monday, Wike clarified that the heads of courts, including the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judges of the Federal and FCT High Courts, and the Judge of the National Industrial Court, will retire with the houses constructed for them.

He noted that the development was with the approval of the President, adding that the Seal of Oaths had been issued in the names of the individuals.

“Let me make it clear. What we are doing today is not just for the heads of courts, and when they retire, they go, no. As they retire, the properties become their own. And that is the approval of Mr President. And that is why we issued the seal of oaths in their names.

“So, all of you who are here now, don’t think that when they are leaving tomorrow, you will see in the pages of the newspaper, the Retired Chief Justice of the FCT has taken our house… Please, the policy of Mr President is that these heads of court, as they are retiring, must go home with their houses. And that is the true position,” the minister stated.

In his address, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, said the provision of accommodation for heads of court will enhance, among others, institutional dignity of the judiciary, thereby enabling the discharge of their duties with focus and authority.

“The provision of secure and befitting accommodation for heads of cost will enhance operational independence, personal security, and institutional dignity, thereby enabling judicial officers to discharge their duties with great focus and authority.

“The issue of corruption will be reduced to the barest minimum because even if you accuse the judiciary of corruption, what are they going to use the money for? For accommodation? It’s already guaranteed,” he said.

Fagbemi also thanked President Bola Tinubu and the FCT Minister for the administration’s “clear prioritisation of institutional strengthening, judicial independence and infrastructural investment.”