Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged that by the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first term in office, no judge serving in the FCT High Court will be residing in rented accommodation.
Wike made the declaration on Monday, October 13, during the flag-off ceremony for the design and construction of official residences for the Heads of Courts in Abuja. He described the initiative as a reflection of President Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers.
“Before the end of Mr President’s first tenure, no judge of the FCT High Court will be living in a rented quarter,” Wike said. “I didn’t say Federal High Court, I didn’t say National Industrial Court — but judges of the FCT High Court.”
The minister explained that the housing project is fully captured in the FCT’s 2024 and 2025 budgets, both of which have been approved by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Tinubu.
Wike noted that from the outset of the administration, the President had expressed strong concern for the welfare of the judiciary.
“Mr President told us that enhancing the welfare of judicial officers has been a major concern,” he said. “I told him the difference his government must make is to end the practice of judges living in rented houses.”
He also highlighted the security implications of judges living in rented accommodations, especially given the nature of the cases they preside over.
“Sometimes, you don’t even know your landlord or neighbours. These judges handle very sensitive matters, and you can never tell what might happen,” Wike warned.
In a significant welfare boost, Wike revealed that the official residences will become personal property of the judges upon retirement.
“As they retire, the properties become their own. That is the approval of Mr President,” he said, adding that Certificates of Occupancy have already been issued in the names of the beneficiaries.
