Judiciary Accommodation Row: FCT Minister Speaks Out

By Toffa Momoh | Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has stated that the massive investment in judicial infrastructure by the current administration was a fulfillment of its constitutional duty and not an attempt to compromise the independence of the third arm of government.

The Minister made these remarks in Abuja following an extensive inspection of high-priority judiciary projects, including the Court of Appeal office complex in Dakibiyu, the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe, and exclusive residential accommodations for Heads of Courts in Asokoro.

Addressing allegations from critics that the provision of housing was an attempt to “buy off” the judiciary, Wike explained that the move was rather aimed at ensuring that judicial officers have the welfare and environment required to do their work for the progress of the nation, adding that judges’ environment was directly tied to their efficiency and safety.

In the words of the Minister, “You can’t talk about democracy without talking about the judiciary. You can’t talk about them doing their work when they cannot have befitting places to stay. So, even if, for example, you give them the funds directly, you are the one still providing the funds. Every arm of government depends on the executive to provide funds. So, all these allegations of ‘you are doing this to buy them over’, let it be provided first before you talk about who is buying who and who is not buying who”.

The Minister further stressed the security risks inherent in previous housing arrangements for judicial officers, pointing out that without dedicated quarters, judges often lived in neighborhoods where they could inadvertently reside next to the very individuals standing trial in their courts. He noted that the new residential projects are designed to eliminate these risks by providing a secure, dignified, and exclusive environment for the judiciary.

The Minister wondered why the move was being criticized, noting that the same critics also complained in the past that Judges had nowhere to stay to discharge their duties effectively.

“Before now, they said attention was not being given to the third arm of government. They said Judges had nowhere to stay to carry out their job effectively. Now we are providing it, it becomes an attempt to buy them”, the Minister remarked.

Speaking on the projects inspected, which he said were being executed under a marching order from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reduce the accommodation burden on the judiciary, Wike disclosed that the Court of Appeal office Complex in Dakibiyu, despite minor delays caused by last year’s rainy season, was currently 90% complete. He said the project is expected to be inaugurated during the President’s third-anniversary celebrations in May 2026.

The Minister also disclosed that the construction of the 40 residential houses for Judges in Katampe was underway to provide 20 houses for the FCT High Court; 10 for the Court of Appeal; and 10 for the Federal High Court judges, with plans for the Industrial Court judges quarters also in motion.

He added that the Heads of Courts Residences in Asokoro is scheduled for completion by June or July 2026, describing it as a historic project that provides retirement homes for the President of the Court of Appeal, the President of the Industrial Court, and the Chief Judges of both the Federal High Court, as well as the FCT High Court.

“Of course, seeing such structures you feel happy that Mr. President means well for the third arm of government, which is the judicial sector. I’m sure the judiciary will be happy. This is the first time any President has tried to intervene in their housing need”, the Minister stated.