FCTA Moves To Expand Judges’ Housing, Wike Assures Judiciary Of Stronger Support

 

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday announced fresh budgetary allocations for the construction of additional residential quarters for judges of the FCT High Court.

Wike, who spoke at the special court session marking the opening of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, said the intervention was aimed at addressing long-standing accommodation gaps and improving the welfare of judicial officers.

He stressed that comfortable and secure housing is essential for judicial officers to perform their duties without distraction.

According to him, “Providing decent accommodation allows our judges to concentrate fully on the timely and efficient administration of justice, free from the pressures that come with inadequate living conditions.”

The minister highlighted several ongoing FCTA interventions, including the construction of secure residences for Heads of Courts and the new Magistrate Court Complex in Jabi.
He also disclosed that staff quarters were being built for the Nigerian Law School in the FCT, while design and construction works were underway for the Court of Appeal Abuja Division Complex and residences for Justices of the National Industrial Court and the Federal High Court.

Wike further revealed that the FCTA, acting on President Bola Tinubu’s directive, had handed over the Certificate of Occupancy for the Supreme Court’s land and commenced full perimeter fencing of the complex—an action he described as long overdue.

“These swift interventions give our apex court renewed confidence and address security and encroachment concerns that were ignored by previous administrations,” he said.

The minister assured that ongoing priority judicial projects, including the Jabi Magistrate Court Complex and residential quarters for Heads of Courts, would be completed expeditiously. He added that the FCTA was also working with courts in the territory to digitise proceedings and registries as part of broader efforts to improve efficiency.

“Justice must never be compromised. It remains the bedrock of our democracy and the safeguard of public trust,” Wike noted, urging stronger collaboration among stakeholders to fortify the judicial system.

He expressed optimism that the 2025/2026 Legal Year would usher in greater efficiency and progress for the Court of Appeal and the judiciary as a whole.