President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to judicial independence and institutional reform as he commissioned the newly completed 10-unit Court of Appeal Judges’ Quarters in Katampe District, Abuja. He described the project as a strategic investment in the rule of law and democratic governance.
Represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, the President said the housing estate forms part of a series of judicial infrastructure projects being inaugurated to mark the third anniversary of his administration. He stressed that a functional justice system requires more than laws and judicial officers.
“We gather on this important occasion for the commissioning of the 10th Court of Appeal Judges’ Quarters here in Katampe. This event is part of a series of judicial infrastructure projects being commissioned over a three-week period to commemorate the third anniversary of this administration,” Tinubu said.
The President noted that the project is a special Federal Government intervention, separate from the judiciary’s statutory budgetary allocations, which he said had also increased significantly under his administration.
“Today’s event is much more than the unveiling of physical infrastructure; it is a tangible demonstration of the Federal Government’s enduring commitment to the welfare, independence, efficiency and dignity of the judiciary,” he said.
He added that a strong justice system depends not only on competent judicial officers and sound laws, but also on the infrastructure and support systems required for effective performance of constitutional duties.
Tinubu explained that providing modern residential accommodation for judges is intended to strengthen judicial independence, efficiency and service delivery, stressing that judicial welfare should be regarded as a national investment.
“The welfare of judicial officers is a strategic investment in the rule of law. When judges are provided with secure accommodation and conducive working environments, the entire nation benefits,” he stated.
The President also disclosed plans for further expansion of judicial infrastructure within the district, revealing that additional land had been allocated for the National Industrial Court, the Code of Conduct Bureau, the Federal High Court, and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
“With all these developments, this area could easily be declared the ‘Judiciary Boulevard’,” he said.
Tinubu commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the successful execution of the project.
“I wish to commend my dependable, hard-working and diligent Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, CON, and his team for the efficiency with which this directive was implemented,” he said.
He further urged state governments to emulate the Federal Government by investing more in judicial infrastructure and welfare.
“The responsibility of supporting the judiciary does not rest solely with the Federal Government. State governments have a corresponding obligation to ensure their judicial sectors are adequately funded, properly equipped, and provided with the infrastructure necessary for effective service delivery,” he stated.
In his remarks, Wike urged governors across the country to take greater responsibility for the development of federal judicial institutions located within their states, arguing that such courts primarily serve citizens of the host states.
Drawing from his experience as Governor of Rivers State, he recalled facilitating the establishment of a National Industrial Court division and providing judges’ accommodation to ease access to justice and reduce the burden on litigants.
He noted that concerns about judicial independence should not deter governments from providing infrastructure, insisting that such interventions strengthen rather than weaken the judiciary.
