No FCT Judge Will Live in Rented Apartment by 2027 – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has assured that no judge in the FCT will live in a rented apartment by the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first tenure.

Wike made the pledge during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of 40 duplexes for heads of courts in Abuja on Monday.

The minister said the housing initiative was part of President Tinubu’s renewed commitment to improving the welfare and dignity of judicial officers.

“By the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first term, no judge in the Federal Capital Territory will live in a rented apartment,” Wike declared.

He explained that the project’s funding had been fully captured in the 2024/2025 budget of the FCT Administration, as proposed by the President, approved by the National Assembly, and duly assented to by the President.

Breaking down the allocation, the minister said the 40 duplexes would be distributed among different levels of the judiciary.

Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

“Ten units will go to judges of the Court of Appeal, another ten to Federal High Court judges, and the remaining twenty to FCT High Court judges,” he explained.

Wike also assured that the project would be completed within 12 months and that President Tinubu himself would hand over the houses to the beneficiaries upon completion.

In a significant policy shift, Wike clarified that the properties would become the personal homes of the judges upon retirement, ensuring long-term security for them and their families.

“I want to make it clear that what we are doing today is not just for the heads of courts who will simply leave when they retire. No. As they retire, the property becomes their own,” the minister stated.

He added that this provision had the explicit approval of President Tinubu, noting that the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os) were already being issued in the judges’ names.

“This is the President’s approval, and that is why we have issued the Certificates of Occupancy in their names,” he said.

Wike reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration recognised the crucial role of the judiciary in maintaining the rule of law and would continue to prioritise the comfort and independence of judges.

He stressed that providing decent accommodation was not a privilege but a necessity for judicial integrity and efficiency.

“You cannot expect judges to deliver justice effectively if they do not have decent living conditions,” Wike noted. “This project is part of the President’s larger vision for a dignified, efficient, and independent judiciary.”

The new housing project adds to the FCT Administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance living and working conditions for public officials, especially within the judiciary, which has long faced complaints over inadequate facilities.

Wike, who has consistently championed infrastructure development in the FCT, emphasised that the project reflects “results-oriented governance” that delivers tangible impact.

“What we promise, we deliver,” the minister concluded. “And when President Tinubu says Renewed Hope, this is what he means—giving dignity to those who serve this nation.”