Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has pledged that before the conclusion of President Bola Tinubu’s first term in office, no judge serving in the FCT will still be living in rented accommodation.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to a statement by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s media aide, the minister made the declaration in Abuja on Monday during the inauguration of new housing projects for key judicial figures, including the president of the Court of Appeal, the chief judges of the Federal High Court and FCT High Court, and the president of the Industrial Court.
Wike noted that the housing initiative represents President Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing the welfare and productivity of judicial officers across the country. He added that he personally encouraged the president to prioritize a fresh approach toward judges’ well-being.
He said, “Let me also say what Mr President has done for the FCT. Before the first tenure of Mr President ends, no judge of the FCT will be living in a rented quarter.”
“I said before the first tenure ends, no judge of the FCT high court; I didn’t say federal high court, I didn’t say national industrial court, but of the FCT high court, will be staying in a rented quarter.”
“Let me make it clear. What we are doing today is not just for the heads of courts, and when they retire, they go, no.”
“As they retire, the properties become their own. And that is the approval of Mr President. And that is why we issued the seal of oaths in their names.”
“So, all of you who are here now, don’t think that when they are leaving tomorrow, you will see in the pages of the newspaper that the retired chief justice of the FCT has taken our house.”
“Please, the policy of Mr President is that these heads of court, as they are retiring, must go home with their houses. And that is the true position.”
The minister assured that the construction would be completed within 12 months and that certificates of ownership would be issued in the beneficiaries’ names.
He further disclosed that a total of 40 housing units are currently underway—10 for judges of the Court of Appeal, 10 for judges of the Federal High Court, and 20 for judges of the FCT High Court.
