Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has unveiled fresh plans to expand housing provisions for judges in the FCT, reaffirming President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s judiciary and creating an environment where justice can be delivered efficiently.
Wike made the announcement on Monday during the Special Court session marking the start of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
He revealed that the FCT Administration had already made budgetary allocations for new residential projects to address housing shortages affecting High Court judges.
According to him, providing judges with secure and comfortable accommodation remains a key priority for the administration.
“Well-equipped courts and proper support infrastructure, he said, are essential to ensuring that judicial duties are carried out “in a professional, safe, and conducive environment.”
The minister also highlighted recent interventions that reflect President Tinubu’s “decisive action” in supporting the judiciary.
“Under the President’s decisive action, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has formally handed over the Certificate of Occupancy for the Supreme Court’s land,” Wike said.
He added that the FCTA has “commenced the full perimeter fencing of the entire complex to safeguard the nation’s apex court against encroachment and security breaches.”
He described the move as a “swift, long-awaited intervention” that restores confidence in the judiciary, noting that such support “trickles down to each arm of the judiciary.”
Wike went on to list ongoing projects designed to strengthen the justice sector within the FCT. These include the construction of secure and modern residential quarters for Heads of Courts, a new Magistrate Court Complex in Jabi, staff quarters for the Nigerian Law School, and the design and construction of new complexes for the Court of Appeal and Federal High Court divisions in Abuja.
“The reasoning of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is that providing comfortable and secure accommodation allows judges to focus entirely on the timely and efficient administration of justice, free from the distractions of inadequate living conditions,” he said.
As the new legal year begins, Wike reiterated the FCTA’s resolve to accelerate justice reforms and complete ongoing projects.
“Our priorities for the 2025/2026 Legal Year are focused on consolidating the gains made and expanding support where it is most needed. We will aggressively push for the timely completion of the new residential quarters for Heads of Courts and the Jabi Magistrate Court Complex to ensure prompt utilisation,” he noted.
Wike also emphasised continued collaboration with FCT-based courts to digitise registries and court proceedings, a move he said would reduce manual processes and speed up justice delivery.
“Let me state that justice must never be compromised under any circumstances. It is the bedrock of our democracy and the safeguard of public trust,” he insisted.
“I am confident that the commencement of this 2025/2026 Legal Year will herald a period of unprecedented success, wisdom, and efficiency for the Court of Appeal.”
