Tinubu Commissions 20 FCT Judges’ Quarters in Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday said his administration remains committed to strengthening the rule of law and improving public institutions as he commissioned 20 residential quarters for judges of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in the Katampe District of Abuja.

The President, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN), said the housing project reflects the Federal Government’s effort to improve the welfare, security and independence of judicial officers.

Tinubu said the project is part of the promises made under the Renewed Hope Agenda to restore confidence in public institutions, improve governance and protect the rule of law. He noted that the new quarters represent another step towards achieving those goals.

According to him, the housing project goes beyond providing accommodation, as it is part of a broader plan to strengthen one of the country’s key democratic institutions through better infrastructure and improved welfare for judges.

He explained that the Federal Capital Territory Administration has continued to invest in the justice sector by providing facilities that allow judicial officers to carry out their responsibilities in a better environment.

The President recalled that the administration had earlier completed and commissioned 10 housing units each for judges of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court. He also noted that the first phase of residential accommodation for staff of the Nigerian Law School had been delivered, while work is ongoing on housing projects for judges of the National Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Tinubu dismissed claims that providing official residences for judges could affect the independence of the judiciary. He maintained that the project has no connection with the judiciary’s statutory budget and was simply an intervention aimed at improving the working conditions of judicial officers.

He said decent accommodation would enable judges to focus on their duties without unnecessary distractions while providing them with a secure and comfortable environment to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.

The President also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for overseeing several infrastructure projects across Abuja, describing the developments as part of the administration’s effort to strengthen public institutions.

Speaking at the event, Wike said the housing project was initiated in line with President Tinubu’s directive to improve the welfare and security of judges.

According to the minister, the administration believes that a truly independent judiciary can only thrive when judicial officers enjoy better welfare and adequate security.

He disclosed that the FCTA plans to complete and hand over three additional court complexes for judges and magistrates before the end of the year.

Wike also announced plans to build another 20 housing units for judges of the FCT High Court before the end of President Tinubu’s first term in office.

The minister defended the government’s decision to allocate land for the project in Katampe, explaining that the area had remained undeveloped for many years because of inadequate infrastructure before it was reclaimed for public use.

He added that the administration would seek presidential approval to allow judges living in the new quarters to eventually own the houses through an owner-occupier arrangement.

Earlier, the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, described the project as a major investment in the welfare of judicial officers and the administration of justice.

He said better housing would improve the productivity, security and peace of mind of judges while supporting the effective delivery of justice.

The Chief Judge thanked President Tinubu and Minister Wike for supporting the judiciary and appealed for similar housing projects to be extended to judges of the FCT Sharia Court of Appeal and the Customary Court of Appeal.

The inauguration of the judges’ quarters became the 26th project commissioned by the Federal Capital Territory Administration as part of activities marking the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration.