Wike Announces New Housing Projects to Support FCT Judges as 2025/2026 Legal Year Begins

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced the initiation of new housing projects for judges in the FCT, reinforcing President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary. The announcement was made during the Special Court session marking the start of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

Wike stated that budgetary provisions have been made to construct additional residential houses for FCT High Court judges. The aim is to address housing shortages and ensure all judicial officers are adequately accommodated. He highlighted the importance of providing proper court facilities, chambers, and support infrastructure to enable judicial work to be carried out efficiently and safely.

The minister also noted that the FCT Administration has handed over the Certificate of Occupancy for the Supreme Court’s land and begun the full perimeter fencing of the complex to prevent encroachment and security breaches. According to Wike, these measures strengthen confidence in the judiciary and support its functioning at all levels.

Wike outlined several ongoing projects under the FCT Administration, including secure residential quarters for Heads of Courts, a new Magistrate Court Complex in Jabi District, staff quarters for the Nigerian Law School, and the design and construction of the Court of Appeal Abuja division complex, along with residences for justices of the National Industrial High Court and Federal High Court Abuja divisions.

He emphasized that these projects are intended to allow judges to focus on their duties without concerns about housing or inadequate facilities. Wike also reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s commitment to digitizing court proceedings and registries to improve efficiency, reduce manual processes, and accelerate the delivery of justice.

“As the 2025/2026 Legal Year begins, the FCT Administration is focused on completing residential quarters for Heads of Courts and the Jabi Magistrate Court Complex to ensure they are ready for use,” Wike said.

He concluded by stressing that justice must remain uncompromised and called on all stakeholders, including judges, legal practitioners, government agencies, and citizens, to work together to strengthen the judiciary and enhance its operations.