The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says no judge serving in the FCT will live in a rented apartment by the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first tenure.
Wike stated this on Monday in Abuja during the inauguration of the construction of housing units for the President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judges of the Federal High Court and FCT High Court, and the President of the National Industrial Court.
The minister said the gesture was part of President Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare and performance of judicial officers in the country.
“We can’t afford to continue to see judges living in rented houses,” Wike said. “Sometimes you don’t know the landlords or neighbours of these houses. These judges preside over criminal and other serious matters, and you never can tell what will happen. Our judges deserve the best, and I thank God that Mr President has made it a policy to change this narrative during his tenure.”
Wike assured that the projects would be completed within 12 months, and that Certificates of Ownership would be issued in the names of the beneficiaries, making the houses their personal property upon retirement.
He revealed that the ongoing construction of 40 houses—10 for Court of Appeal judges, 10 for Federal High Court judges, and 20 for FCT High Court judges—would be completed by the end of the year.
Wike also assured the President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, that similar housing benefits would be extended to judges of the Industrial Court.
FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as a collective commitment to strengthening the pillars of justice and governance in the nation’s capital.
“This project is about honour, dignity, and institutional pride, providing befitting residences for our esteemed heads of courts whose wisdom and integrity uphold the rule of law in the country,” she said.
Justice Kanyip commended President Tinubu for approving the project, stressing that safe and comfortable housing was crucial for judicial officers to function effectively and without external influence.
“Like other public servants, judicial officers perform better when their personal security and mental well-being are assured,” he said. “This initiative will enable them to dedicate themselves fully to their judicial responsibilities.”
He noted that judicial housing is part of the emoluments of judicial officers, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, and described the project as a practical demonstration of support for the judiciary.
Also speaking, the Chief Judge of the FCT, Justice Husseni Yusuf, praised President Tinubu and Minister Wike for prioritising judicial welfare and reforms.
“The initiative is not merely architectural; it is a strategic affirmation of the welfare, security, and independence of judicial officers — essential elements of a credible and efficient judiciary,” he said.
