The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced that by the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first term, every judge of the FCT High Court will have official accommodation and none will be living in rented apartments.
Wike made this known on Monday during the flag-off of the design and construction of official residences for the Heads of Courts in the FCT. He emphasized that the project would put an end to the era when judges in the nation’s capital lived in rented quarters.
“Before the first tenure of Mr President ends, no judge of the FCT High Court will be living in a rented apartment,” Wike stated. “I didn’t say Federal High Court or National Industrial Court, but judges of the FCT High Court.”
The minister noted that the housing initiative follows earlier judicial infrastructure projects, including the construction of new magistrate courts in Jabi, launched in September 2025, and 40 judges’ quarters in Katampe District, which began in November 2024.
Wike clarified that the provision of accommodation for judicial officers is not interference by the executive but part of the Federal Capital Development Authority’s mandate to build public facilities.
He further revealed that, with President Tinubu’s approval, the heads of courts — including the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judges of the Federal and FCT High Courts, and the Judge of the National Industrial Court — will retire with ownership of the houses allocated to them.
“What we are doing today is not just for the current heads of courts. When they retire, the properties become theirs. That is the policy approved by Mr President,” Wike explained. “So nobody should expect to see a headline tomorrow saying a retired chief judge has taken government property. The houses are theirs by right.”
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, praised the initiative, describing it as a move that will strengthen judicial independence and enhance integrity within the justice system.
“The provision of secure and befitting accommodation for heads of court will boost their independence, personal security, and dignity, enabling them to carry out their duties effectively,” Fagbemi said.
He added that the move would help reduce corruption to the barest minimum, stating, “Even if you accuse the judiciary of corruption, what would they be using the money for when accommodation is already guaranteed?”
Fagbemi commended President Tinubu and Wike for their commitment to strengthening the judiciary through infrastructure development and welfare improvement.
