President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday commissioned 20 residential quarters for judges of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Katampe District, Abuja, saying the project is part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen the rule of law and improve the justice system.
The President, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the housing project reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to providing better welfare, security and working conditions for judicial officers.
Tinubu said the project is another step in fulfilling the promises made under the Renewed Hope Agenda to rebuild public confidence in government institutions, improve security and protect the rule of law. He explained that the judges’ quarters are more than residential buildings because they are intended to support the judiciary by creating an environment where judges can carry out their duties without unnecessary challenges.
The President said the housing project is part of a wider plan by the Federal Capital Territory Administration to improve facilities within the justice sector. He recalled that the government had already completed and commissioned residential quarters for judges of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court.
He also noted that accommodation for staff of the Nigerian Law School had been delivered, while work is ongoing on housing projects for judges of the National Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
Tinubu also responded to claims that the provision of official accommodation for judges could affect the independence of the judiciary. He dismissed the suggestion, explaining that the project is a welfare intervention that has no connection with the judiciary’s budget or its constitutional independence. According to him, decent accommodation allows judges to concentrate on their responsibilities, improve their performance and carry out their duties in a secure environment.
The President commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for carrying out major infrastructure projects across Abuja. He said the administration remains committed to supporting institutions that contribute to national development through practical projects.
Speaking at the ceremony, Wike said the construction of the judges’ quarters followed President Tinubu’s directive to improve the welfare and security of judicial officers. He explained that an independent judiciary requires judges to enjoy proper welfare and safe accommodation, making the project necessary.
The minister disclosed that the FCTA plans to complete and hand over three additional court complexes for judges and magistrates before the end of the year. He also announced plans to build another 20 housing units for FCT High Court judges before the end of Tinubu’s first term in office.
Wike defended the government’s decision to reclaim the Katampe land where the houses were built. He said the land had remained undeveloped for many years because of the absence of infrastructure and was recovered in the public interest to allow the administration execute projects that benefit Nigerians.
He also revealed that the administration intends to seek presidential approval for judges occupying the new houses to purchase them through an owner-occupier arrangement.
Earlier, the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, described the housing project as an important step toward improving the welfare and independence of judicial officers. He said better accommodation would improve judges’ productivity, strengthen their security and allow them to perform their duties more effectively.
Justice Baba-Yusuf thanked President Tinubu and the FCT Minister for supporting the judiciary through the project. He also appealed to the government to provide similar housing for judges of the FCT Sharia Court of Appeal and the Customary Court of Appeal.
The commissioning of the judges’ quarters became the 26th project inaugurated by the Federal Capital Territory Administration as part of activities marking the third anniversary of President Tinubu’s administration.