The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike has reiterated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would 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 address housing shortages and ensure all judicial officers were appropriately accommodated.
While delivering a goodwill message at the Special Court session formally marking the commencement of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday, Wike said, “Well-equipped court facilities, chambers, and support infrastructure ensure that judicial work is conducted in a professional, safe, and conducive environment.”
He said 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.”
Wike noted that this swift, long-awaited intervention had provided the Apex Court with much-needed confidence, stating, “This confidence-building action trickles down to each arm of the judiciary.”
He highlighted various interventions by the President through the FCTA, including the ongoing construction of secure residential quarters for Heads of Courts, a new Magistrate Court Complex in Jabi District to expand access to justice, Staff Quarters for the Nigerian Law School in the FCT, and the design and construction of the Court of Appeal Abuja division Complex, as well as residences for Justices of the National Industrial High Court Abuja Division and Federal High Court Abuja Division.
Wike said these projects were designed to directly support judges in performing their duties.
He 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 continued FCTA support for justice reforms, he 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.”
Wike further stated, “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 utilisation. 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.”
The FCT Minister also stressed the need for collaboration with FCT-based judiciary, including the Court of Appeal, to support the digitisation of court proceedings and registries.
He said, “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. I am confident that the commencement of this 2025/2026 Legal Year will herald a period of unprecedented success, wisdom, and efficiency for the Court of Appeal.”
PIAK