No FCT Judge Will Live in a Rented Apartment by 2027 – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured that by the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first tenure, no judge serving in the FCT High Court will be living in rented accommodation.

Wike made the statement on Monday during the flag-off ceremony for the design and construction of residences for the heads of courts in the FCT. He emphasized that the initiative marks the end of an era when judges were forced to live in rented quarters.

“Before the first tenure of Mr. President ends, no judge of the FCT High Court will be living in a rented quarter,” Wike said. “I didn’t say Federal High Court or National Industrial Court, but judges of the FCT High Court.”

The project follows earlier efforts to improve judicial infrastructure in the capital city, including the construction of new magistrate courts in Jabi launched in September 2025 and 40 judges’ quarters in Katampe District, which began in November 2024.

Wike clarified that the initiative is not an act of executive interference but part of the Federal Capital Development Authority’s mandate to construct public buildings. He also announced that 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 retain ownership of their official residences upon retirement, with the approval of President Tinubu.

“What we are doing today is not temporary. As these heads of courts retire, the properties will become theirs,” he stated. “This policy has been approved by Mr. President, and the seal of oaths has been issued in their names.”

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, commended the initiative, describing it as a major step toward strengthening judicial independence and integrity. He noted that providing secure and dignified accommodation would allow judicial officers to perform their duties with greater focus and authority.

“With adequate housing, the issue of corruption will be reduced because accommodation is already guaranteed,” Fagbemi said.

He thanked President Tinubu and Minister Wike for prioritizing institutional strengthening, judicial independence, and infrastructural investment within the nation’s capital.