The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that the government is attempting to undermine the independence of the judiciary by providing official housing for judges in Abuja. Speaking after an inspection tour of several key projects on Thursday, Wike argued that providing decent living conditions is a necessity for a functional democracy, not a strategy for political influence.
During his visit to the Court of Appeal Division Complex in Daki Biu, as well as residential sites in Katampe and Asokoro, the Minister addressed the growing debate head-on. Wike pointed out that for years, the judicial arm of government was neglected, with many judges lacking proper accommodation to carry out their duties effectively. He questioned why efforts to fix these long-standing welfare issues are now being viewed through a lens of suspicion.
Wike emphasized that the judiciary, like all other arms of government, ultimately relies on the executive for funding. He noted that whether the government provides the houses directly or releases the money for them, the source remains the same. To him, the primary goal should be ensuring that those responsible for interpreting the law can live in environments that reflect the importance of their work.
The Minister highlighted that President Tinubu is personally committed to this intervention, marking a historic shift in how the welfare of judicial officers is handled. Wike explained that the President issued a specific directive to establish a dedicated administrative headquarters for the Court of Appeal Division, a project that is now roughly 90 percent complete.
Beyond administrative buildings, the government is currently constructing 40 residential homes. This breakdown includes 20 houses for the FCT High Court, 10 for the Court of Appeal, and 10 for the Federal High Court, with plans for the Industrial Court already in the works. In a move described as unprecedented, Wike noted that heads of courts will now be provided with homes upon their retirement.
The projects are expected to be fully completed and commissioned by the President between June and July this year. For Wike, the priority remains delivering these facilities and handing them over to the judiciary, regardless of the criticism from those who view the gesture as an attempt to “buy” the bench. He maintained that a strong, independent judiciary cannot exist if the people running it are left without basic comfort and security.
