By Abuja, Nigeria
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the government’s massive investment in judicial infrastructure, saying it’s a constitutional duty, not an attempt to compromise the judiciary’s independence.
Wike made this statement after inspecting high-priority judiciary projects, including the Court of Appeal office complex, Judges’ Quarters, and residential accommodations for Heads of Courts.
He addressed allegations of “buying off” the judiciary, saying the provision of housing aims to ensure judicial officers have a conducive environment to work effectively, which is crucial for democracy.
“You can’t talk about democracy without talking about the judiciary. You can’t talk about them doing their work when they cannot have befitting places to stay. So, even if, for example, you give them the funds directly, you are the one still providing the funds. Every arm of government depends on the executive to provide funds. So, all these allegations of ‘you are doing this to buy them over’, let it be provided first before you talk about who is buying who and who is not buying who?” he said.
Wike highlighted security risks in previous housing arrangements, where judges lived near individuals they were trying, and said the new projects eliminate these risks.
“Before now, they said attention was not being given to the third arm of government. They said Judges had nowhere to stay to carry out their job effectively. Now we are providing it, it becomes an attempt to buy them”, the Minister remarked.
“The projects, executed under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, are 90% complete and expected to be inaugurated in May 2026,” he maintained.
