The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has assured that before the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first tenure, no judge serving in the FCT High Court will be living in a rented apartment.
Wike made the pledge on Monday during the flag-off of the design and construction of official residences for the Heads of Courts in the FCT, stressing that the era of judges living in rented quarters “will come to an end.”
“Before the first tenure of Mr President ends, no judge of the FCT High Court will be living in a rented quarter,” he declared. “I didn’t say Federal High Court or National Industrial Court, but judges of the FCT High Court.”
This development follows earlier projects launched under the Tinubu administration, including the construction of new magistrate courts in Jabi (September 2025) and 40 judges’ quarters in Katampe District (November 2024).
Wike explained that the initiative aligns with the President’s commitment to improving judicial welfare, adding that heads of courts—including the President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judges of the Federal and FCT High Courts, and Judges of the National Industrial Court—will retire with the houses built for them.
“What we are doing today is not just for the heads of courts to use while in office,” he said. “When they retire, the properties become theirs. That is Mr President’s directive, and the seal of oaths has been issued in their names.”
Also speaking, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), commended the initiative, describing it as a major step toward judicial independence and integrity.
“The provision of secure and befitting accommodation for heads of courts enhances their dignity and independence,” he noted. “With this, corruption will be reduced to the barest minimum because even if anyone accuses them of corruption, what will they need the money for? Accommodation is already guaranteed.”
Fagbemi lauded President Tinubu and Minister Wike for their “clear prioritisation of institutional strengthening, judicial independence, and infrastructural development” in the FCT.
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