Wike Defends Judiciary Housing Project, Faults NBA Chairman Over Judicial Independence Claims

By Toffa Momoh

ABUJA — FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has dismissed concerns that providing residential and office infrastructure for the judiciary will compromise judicial independence, saying the practice is neither new nor unusual.

Speaking to journalists after inspecting ongoing judicial and road projects in Abuja, Wike said the Federal Capital Development Authority has historically built facilities for independent government institutions, including the Supreme Court, National Assembly, and INEC.

“We have built public houses both for the National Assembly and for the judiciary. That Supreme Court complex was built by the FCDA. Even INEC office was built by the FCDA. So, there is nothing new,” Wike said. “The mere fact that the executive constructs does not mean that will lead to interference.”

The Minister was responding to comments by Nigerian Bar Association Chairman Afam Osigwe, who had warned that building courts and providing vehicles for judges could undermine their integrity. Wike described the view as “unfortunate” and inconsistent with historical precedent.

He also questioned the NBA’s stance, noting that the association receives funding from state governments for its activities. Wike cited the upcoming NBA conference in Rivers State, which he said is being sponsored by the state government, as an example.

“It is contradictory for the NBA leadership to raise concerns about judicial independence while simultaneously seeking executive patronage to fund the association’s activities,” he said.

Wike confirmed that President Bola Tinubu directed the FCDA to construct housing for judges and justices to allow them to focus on their work. He said the administration would proceed with the projects despite the criticism.

During the inspection, Wike said the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe, being handled by a local contractor, was 99% complete and would be among the projects commissioned for Tinubu’s third anniversary. He expressed dissatisfaction with the finishing at the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal and directed the contractor to make corrections before commissioning.

Ground-breaking ceremonies for residences of National Industrial Court and Code of Conduct Tribunal judges will also take place soon, he added.

On infrastructure, Wike commended Julius Berger for completing the Arterial Road N5 and directed the firm to extend an 800-meter link to the Dei-Dei/Life Camp road to improve connectivity.

On sanitation, the Minister ruled out a return to a monthly sanitation day in the FCT, arguing that cleanliness should be a daily habit. He said the FCTA is reviewing proposals for recycling plants to convert waste into usable products.

“We are already thinking about that and we are getting offers from people who have done that in one place or the other,” he said.

The inspected projects include the Judges’ Quarters, collector road C01 in Life Camp, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, and Arterial Road N5 from Life Camp Junction to Dei-Dei.