The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that the newly inaugurated residential quarters for judges of the FCT High Court will be allocated to beneficiaries on an owner-occupier basis, subject to the approval of President Bola Tinubu.
Wike made the announcement on Wednesday during the inauguration of 20 housing units built for judges in Katampe, Abuja, as part of projects marking President Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
The minister explained that although he had implemented a similar arrangement while serving as Governor of Rivers State, he could not unilaterally adopt the policy in the FCT without presidential approval.
He, however, expressed confidence that the necessary approval would be secured with the support of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
“We are not going to stop at residences. I know that before the end of the year we are handing over to the Chief Judge of the FCT structures for the Judges Court and Magistrates’ Courts so that they will be able to carry out their work very efficiently,” Wike said.
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He recounted a conversation with one of the judges who expressed excitement about moving into the newly completed houses immediately after the inauguration.
“One of the judges, who incidentally is from my state, said, ‘Look, all our minds are here and as you leave we are packing into our houses.’ I said, on what basis? It’s still on owner-occupier.
“I know that when I was governor I did that, but now I’m under somebody and I must seek approval. Luckily, the Attorney General is here, and that is what it is supposed to be—that the houses be given on an owner-occupier basis.
“I can assure you that with the support of the Attorney General, that approval will be obtained,” he said.
Wike also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving judicial infrastructure in the nation’s capital, revealing that work was ongoing to provide additional facilities for the judiciary.
According to him, new court complexes for judges and magistrates will be completed and handed over to the Chief Judge of the FCT before the end of the year.
The minister further pledged that another 20 housing units would be constructed for judges before the end of President Tinubu’s first term in office.
“We are not going to stop here. We are going to build more houses for the judges of the FCT. I’m told that the number is such that we cannot accommodate everyone at the same time.
“I believe that before the first tenure of Mr President expires, we would have gone far in the construction of 20 more houses for the judges of the FCT,” Wike added.
The housing project forms part of ongoing efforts by the FCT Administration to strengthen judicial infrastructure and improve the welfare of judicial officers in the Federal Capital Territory.