The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has reiterated that President Bola Tinubu will continue to support the judiciary to enhance productivity, reduce delays, and uphold its independence and integrity.
The minister disclosed that budgetary provisions had been
made to construct additional residential houses for FCT High Court judges to
mitigate housing shortages and ensure all judicial officers are appropriately
accommodated.
Wike, in his goodwill message at a special court session
formally marking the commencement of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Court of
Appeal in Abuja, on Monday, said “well-equipped court facilities, chambers and
support infrastructure ensure that judicial work is conducted in a
professional, safe, and conducive environment”.
In a statement by his spokesman, Lere Olayinka, Wike
disclosed that “under the President’s decisive action, the Federal Capital
Territory Administration (FCTA) has formally handed over the Certificate of
Occupancy for the Supreme Court’s land and commenced the full perimeter fencing
of the entire complex to safeguard the nation’s apex court against encroachment
and security breaches.
“This swift, long-awaited intervention gives the Apex Court
of our beloved country the much-needed Confidence Building which had not been
done in past administrations. This confidence building actions trickles down to
each arm of the judiciary.”
Wike also listed various interventions and supports the
President has provided for the judiciary through the FCTA to include the
ongoing construction of secure and befitting residential quarters for Heads of
Courts within the FCT and ongoing construction of a new Magistrate Court Complex
in Jabi District to expand access to justice for FCT residents and reduce the
burden on existing court infrastructure.
Others are construction of staff quarters for the Nigerian
Law School in the FCT and design and construction of the Court of Appeal Abuja
Division Complex as well as residences of the justices of the National
Industrial Court Abuja Division and Federal High Court Abuja Division.
He stated that the projects were designed to directly
support judges in the performance of their duties.
Wike said: “The reasoning of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s
administration is that providing comfortable and secure accommodation allows
judges to focus entirely on the timely and efficient administration of justice,
free from the distractions of inadequate living conditions.”
Reiterating the continued support of the FCTA to the
implementation of justice reforms, Wike said, “As we step into the new Legal
Year, the FCT Administration remains resolute in its determination to further
support the implementation of justice reforms.
“Our priorities for the 2025/2026 Legal Year are focused on
consolidating the gains made and expanding support where it is most needed.
“We will aggressively push for the timely completion of the
new residential quarters for Heads of Courts and the Jabi Magistrate Court
Complex to ensure prompt utilization.
“Furthermore, we have made budgetary provisions to construct
additional residential houses for FCT High Court Judges to mitigate housing
shortages and ensure all judicial officers are appropriately accommodated.
“We will continue to collaborate with the various FCT-based
judiciaries (including the Court of Appeal) to support the digitization of
court proceedings and registries to improve efficiency, reduce manual
processes, and accelerate the dispensation of justice.
“Let me state that justice must never be compromised under
any circumstances, for it is the bedrock of our democracy and the safeguard of
public trust. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders, judges, legal
practitioners, government agencies, and citizens alike to work collaboratively
to strengthen and improve our judicial system.”
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