By Philip Yatai
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says President Bola Tinubu’s support for the judiciary and other arms of government is sacrosanct.
Wike made the remarks on Thursday after a routine inspection of the ongoing construction of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal in Daki Biyu and the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe, Abuja.
He said Tinubu had directed the FCT Administration to address the accommodation challenges faced by judges, including improving their working environment.
According to the minister, the President has expressed particular concern about the welfare of the judiciary and the conditions under which judicial officers carry out their duties.
Wike expressed satisfaction that the construction of the Abuja Court of Appeal complex was between 85 and 90 per cent completed, noting that it would be among the projects to be inaugurated during Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
At the Judges’ Quarters, he said the President intervened to resolve accommodation challenges because of his commitment to the welfare of the judiciary.
He explained that the housing units were allocated to judges of the FCT High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court.
He added that the intervention would soon be extended to the National Industrial Court.
“I am sure the judiciary will be happy because this is the first time any government has intervened in this manner.
“When you look at where our judges and justices live, sometimes you do not know who their neighbours are, including people whose cases they are presiding over.
“But now, they will no longer be renting houses. They have their own accommodation, which is befitting and located in a good environment.
“Where we are now is the House of Courts. In this context, there is one residence for the President of the Court of Appeal, one for the President of the Industrial Court, one for the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and one for the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court,” he said.
Wike, who expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, said the project would be completed and handed over for inauguration between June and July.
“This has never happened in the history of this country, where heads of courts are provided with houses on retirement.
“This is a good development and also strengthens the independence of the judiciary,” he said.
The minister dismissed criticisms suggesting that the move was aimed at influencing the judiciary, saying there would always be critics regardless of government actions.
According to him, every arm of government depends on the executive for funding to function effectively.
“You cannot talk about democracy without talking about the judiciary, and you cannot expect judges to do their work effectively when they do not have suitable accommodation,” Wike said. (NAN)
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
