The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, has debunked allegations that the construction of homes for judges in Abuja is aimed at influencing the judiciary.
Wike clarified that the housing project is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s welfare initiative for the judiciary, aiming to bolster its independence rather than compromise it.
In a media briefing on Wednesday, Wike explained that the project is a key provision in the 2024 federal budget, with Tinubu’s administration recognizing the need for judges to have secure, government-owned residences as a measure against potential manipulation.
According to Wike, the initiative was designed to move judges out of rented accommodations in areas vulnerable to security concerns.
“President Tinubu asked, ‘Where are the judges living?’ He emphasized that judges without stable homes could be subject to undue political pressure. To ensure judicial independence, he mandated the construction of housing for them,” Wike stated. “I’m simply implementing what Mr. President and the Federal Executive Council have approved and what the National Assembly has budgeted.”
Wike emphasized that, as a minister, he is executing a policy that was legislated and approved at the federal level, adding, “I’m not the President. This is his vision to support the judiciary’s independence.”
Reflecting on his past as Rivers State governor, where he also supported judicial housing, Wike questioned why the project should be criticized instead of commended, especially by members of the legal profession.
He argued that similar welfare measures have proven effective in securing judicial independence and should be seen as a positive step.
The housing initiative, passed with bipartisan support, represents the government’s commitment to supporting judges’ welfare. Wike’s clarification aims to quell suspicions surrounding the project, underscoring it as a federal policy to promote integrity within Nigeria’s judicial system.