By Sarah NEGEDU
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday revealed plans to scale up judicial infrastructure projects in the FCT, as part of efforts to ensure judicial independence.
Wike, who dropped the hint during a Special Court session to mark the opening of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Court of Appeal, said part of the initiative is to expand housing provisions for judges across Abuja among several other support to enhance productivity, reduce delays, and uphold integrity of the judiciary.
Already, he said that budgetary provisions had been made to construct additional residential houses for FCT High Court Judges to address issues of long-standing accommodation shortages.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, explained that President Bola Tinubu has given the judiciary unprecedented backing to improve justice delivery and safeguard institutional independence.
The Mminister, in his goodwill message said the president “will continue to support the judiciary to enhance productivity, reduce delays, and uphold the independence and integrity of the judiciary.”
According to him, “well-equipped court facilities, chambers, and support infrastructure ensure that judicial work is conducted in a professional, safe, and conducive environment.”
He revealed that the administration had taken decisive steps to protect national judicial assets, noting that “under the President’s decisive action, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has formally handed over the Certificate of Occupancy for the Supreme Court’s land and commenced the full perimeter fencing of the entire complex to safeguard the nation’s apex court against encroachment and security breaches.
“This swift, long-awaited intervention gives the Apex Court of our beloved country the much-needed Confidence Building which had not been done in past administrations. This confidence building actions trickles down to each arm of the judiciary.”
Wike listed a series of ongoing judicial infrastructure projects funded through the FCTA, including new secure quarters for Heads of Courts, the new Magistrate Court Complex in Jabi District, staff quarters for the Nigerian Law School, and the design and construction of the Court of Appeal Abuja Division Complex alongside residences for the National Industrial Court and Federal High Court judges.
He said the President’s approach was to eliminate domestic distractions for judicial officers, adding that “The reasoning of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is that providing comfortable and secure accommodation allows judges to focus entirely on the timely and efficient administration of justice, free from the distractions of inadequate living conditions.”
While reaffirming the FCTA’s commitment to justice sector reforms, Wike said; “As we step into the new Legal Year, the FCT Administration remains resolute in its determination to further support the implementation of justice reforms. Our priorities for the 2025/2026 Legal Year are focused on consolidating the gains made and expanding support where it is most needed.
“We will aggressively push for the timely completion of the new residential quarters for Heads of Courts and the Jabi Magistrate Court Complex to ensure prompt utilization.
“Furthermore, we have made budgetary provisions to construct additional residential houses for FCT High Court Judges to mitigate housing shortages and ensure all judicial officers are appropriately accommodated.
“We will continue to collaborate with the various FCT-based judiciaries (including the Court of Appeal) to support the digitization of court proceedings and registries to improve efficiency, reduce manual processes, and accelerate the dispensation of justice.
“Let me state that Justice must never be compromised under any circumstances, for it is the bedrock of our democracy and the safeguard of public trust. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders, judges, legal practitioners, government agencies, and citizens alike to work collaboratively to strengthen and improve our judicial system. I am confident that the commencement of this 2025/2026 Legal Year
