The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has assured that by the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first term in office, every judge of the FCT High Court will have official accommodation, marking an end to the era of judges living in rented apartments.
Wike gave the assurance on Monday during the flag-off of the design and construction of residences for the Heads of Courts of the FCT. He noted that President Tinubu had directed that the welfare of judicial officers in the capital be treated as a top priority.
“Before the end of Mr President’s first tenure, no judge of the FCT High Court will be living in a rented apartment,” Wike declared. “This commitment is specific to judges of the FCT High Court not the Federal High Court or National Industrial Court.”
The initiative, according to the minister, complements ongoing efforts to provide adequate infrastructure for the judiciary. These include the construction of new magistrate courts in Jabi, launched in September 2025, and 40 judges’ quarters in Katampe District, whose foundation was laid in November 2024.
Wike clarified that the new housing policy extends beyond tenure, as the heads of courts including the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judges of the Federal and FCT High Courts, and the Judge of the National Industrial Court will retire with the homes built for them.
“What we are doing today is with the full approval of Mr President. When these heads of courts retire, the properties become theirs. This is a deliberate policy to honour their service and uphold the dignity of the judiciary,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), commended the project as a major boost for judicial independence and institutional integrity.
He said, “Providing secure and befitting accommodation for heads of court enhances their personal security, operational independence, and the institutional dignity of the judiciary. It will also help reduce corruption, as basic welfare needs like housing are already guaranteed.”
Fagbemi thanked President Tinubu and Wike for prioritising the welfare of judicial officers and strengthening the independence of the third arm of government through meaningful infrastructural investment.
