- Tinubu Defends Judges’ Housing Scheme, Rejects Interference Claims
- Says Judges’ Housing Will Strengthen, Not Undermine Judicial Independence
- Wike Promises More Housing, Court Complexes for FCT Judiciary
President Bola Tinubu has defended the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s housing scheme for judicial officers, dismissing claims that the initiative could compromise the independence of the judiciary.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Tinubu, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), spoke during the commissioning of 20 housing units for judges of the FCT High Court in Katampe District, Abuja.
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The President described the project as another milestone in his administration’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary through improved welfare and infrastructure.
He said the housing scheme forms part of broader efforts to reinforce the rule of law by providing secure and dignified accommodation for judicial officers.
Responding to allegations of executive interference in the judiciary, Tinubu argued that providing housing for judges should not be interpreted as an attempt to influence the courts.
“If every act of infrastructural provision is to be read as a corrupting influence, then even decent housing for our law lecturers will fall under this suspicion. That cannot be a fair standard,” he said.
Tinubu maintained that the intervention does not affect the judiciary’s statutory budget or financial independence, stressing that decent accommodation would improve the security, comfort and peace of mind of judicial officers.
“We cannot expect judges to dispense justice without fear or favour if their basic comfort, security and peace of mind are left to chance. True judicial independence is built on the dignity of our judicial officers,” he added.
Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, disclosed plans to seek presidential approval for beneficiaries of the newly completed judges’ quarters to own the houses under an owner-occupier arrangement.
According to Wike, the proposal has already received the support of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The minister also pledged to construct an additional 20 housing units for judges of the FCT High Court before the end of Tinubu’s first term, noting that the current allocation is insufficient to accommodate all judicial officers.
He further announced that three new court complexes for judges and magistrates would be completed and handed over before the end of the year to strengthen justice delivery in the Federal Capital Territory.
Wike also dismissed allegations that he illegally acquired land in Abuja, explaining that the site used for the housing estate was lawfully recovered from Julius Berger after remaining undeveloped for more than three decades.
In his remarks, the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, described the housing project as a major boost to judicial independence.
He said the welfare of judicial officers is “an institutional necessity, not a privilege,” adding that judicial independence depends not only on constitutional guarantees but also on quality accommodation, adequate infrastructure and conducive working conditions.
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