President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening judicial independence and institutional reforms with the commissioning of a newly completed 10-unit Court of Appeal Judges’ Quarters in Katampe District, Abuja.

Represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the President described the project as a strategic investment in the rule of law, judicial welfare and democratic governance.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Tuesday, Tinubu said the housing estate formed part of a series of judicial infrastructure projects being inaugurated to mark the third anniversary of his administration.

According to the President, the project demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to providing the judiciary with the infrastructure and support required to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities.

“Today’s event is much more than the unveiling of physical infrastructure; it is a tangible demonstration of the Federal Government’s enduring commitment to the welfare, independence, efficiency and dignity of the judiciary,” he said.

Tinubu noted that the judges’ quarters were delivered as a special intervention project outside the statutory budgetary allocations to the judiciary, adding that improved welfare for judicial officers remains critical to strengthening justice delivery.

“The welfare of judicial officers is a strategic investment in the rule of law. When judges are provided with secure accommodation and conducive working environments, the entire nation benefits,” he stated.

The President also disclosed plans to expand judicial infrastructure within the Katampe district, revealing that additional land had been designated for judges of the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, Code of Conduct Bureau and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

He commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for the successful execution of the project, describing him as diligent and result-oriented.

Tinubu further urged state governments to complement federal efforts by investing in judicial infrastructure and improving welfare for judges within their jurisdictions.

In his remarks, Wike called on governors to support federal judicial institutions located in their states, arguing that such courts primarily serve residents of host states.

Drawing from his experience as former Governor of Rivers State, he recounted how his administration provided infrastructure and accommodation for the National Industrial Court in Port Harcourt to improve access to justice.

Wike dismissed concerns that government support for judicial infrastructure could undermine judicial independence, insisting that improved welfare and working conditions strengthen the judiciary.

President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, described the project as a milestone in efforts to provide a secure and dignified environment for judicial officers.

She noted that quality justice delivery depends not only on courtroom facilities but also on the living conditions of judges, stressing that secure accommodation protects judicial officers from undue influence and enhances the integrity of the judicial process.

Earlier, Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Dauda, disclosed that the project is part of a larger 40-unit judges’ housing development in Katampe District.

According to him, the estate consists of 10 fully furnished five-bedroom duplexes with detached boys’ quarters, an event centre, recreational facilities, neighbourhood shops, internal road networks, water and electricity infrastructure, standby generators and enhanced security features.

The commissioning comes a day after the inauguration of a new Court of Appeal complex in Abuja, highlighting the administration’s renewed focus on judicial infrastructure and governance reforms.

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled that governors and deputy governors elected under the defunct 1979 Constitution are not entitled to pension benefits under the 1999 Constitution unless such provisions are expressly made by their respective state governments.

The appellate court made the clarification while dismissing an appeal filed by a former governor of the old Borno State, the late Alhaji Umar Mohammed Goni, who served between 1979 and 1983.

Goni had challenged the December 18, 2019 judgment of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), which dismissed his claim for pension and other benefits under the Borno State (Grant of Pension to Governors and Deputy Governors) Law, 2005, as amended in 2009.

In his suit, the former governor argued that he was entitled to a monthly pension for life and other benefits provided under the state law, relying on provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Interpretation Act.

However, in a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal affirmed the decision of the NICN and held that the pension law did not apply to governors elected under the 1979 Constitution.

Justice Mohammed Danjuma, who delivered the lead judgment, stated that the 1979 Constitution ceased to have effect following the military takeover in 1983 and could not be linked to the constitutional framework established by the 1999 Constitution.

According to the court, the 1999 Constitution ushered in a new democratic order and the Borno State pension law contained no provision extending pension benefits to governors who served under the defunct constitutional arrangement.

Justice Danjuma noted that if the lawmakers intended to include former governors of the old Borno State, the legislation would have expressly stated so.

“The appellant was a governor of the defunct Borno State under the 1979 Constitution, not a governor under the 1999 Constitution or immediately before or after the coming into force of the 1999 Constitution,” the court held.

The appellate court agreed with the National Industrial Court that the Borno State pension law did not have retrospective effect and therefore could not benefit Goni.

The court also upheld preliminary objections raised by the Borno State Government against the appeal.

Justice Danjuma held that although the appeal could survive the death of Goni, who died before the case was concluded, his legal representatives failed to properly substitute him in the proceedings.

The court further ruled that the appeal was incompetent because it was filed outside the legally prescribed period without obtaining leave of court for an extension of time.

According to the judgment, while the National Industrial Court delivered its decision on December 18, 2019, the notice of appeal was not filed until November 13, 2024.

The Court of Appeal consequently dismissed the appeal and affirmed the judgment of the lower court.

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In a judgement delivered by Justice Okon Abang on Monday, the appeal was dismissed for lack of merit. Chidiebere had sued his former wife, claiming that a property in Kubwa, Abuja, belonged to their matrimonial family and sought an order for her to share rental income since 2013.

However, the High Court judge, Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi, dismissed the joint ownership claims, stating that Chidiebere did not provide credible evidence. Unsatisfied, Chidiebere appealed to the Court of Appeal, alleging a miscarriage of justice.

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Justice Abang upheld the High Court’s decision, noting that documents from the Federal Capital Development Authority only listed Chikerenwa Cordelia Anyatonwu’s name. He also mentioned that Chidiebere failed to prove a legitimate source of income to purchase the property.

The Court disagreed with Chidiebere’s claim of joint ownership, stating that signing a tenancy agreement was insufficient to prove ownership. Justice Abang affirmed the High Court’s judgement, ruling in favor of Chikerenwa Cordelia Anyatonwu’s sole ownership of the property.

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