Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will continue to strengthen the judiciary by providing better facilities, secure accommodation, and improved working conditions for judicial officers across Abuja.
Wike made this known in his goodwill message at the Special Court Session marking the start of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
He explained that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has made fresh budgetary provisions to build more residential houses for FCT High Court judges to ease accommodation challenges and ensure every judicial officer has a comfortable place to live.
“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,” he said.
The Minister noted that the FCTA has already taken major steps to support the judiciary. These include the formal handover of the Certificate of Occupancy for the Supreme Court’s land and the commencement of full perimeter fencing around the complex.
Wike said the move was meant to protect the nation’s highest court from encroachment and security threats.
He described it as a swift, long-awaited intervention that restores confidence in the system, adding that such confidence trickles down to each arm of the judiciary.
Wike also listed several other interventions being carried out by the FCTA under the President’s direction.
They include the construction of secure and befitting residential quarters for Heads of Courts, the ongoing development of a new Magistrate Court Complex in Jabi to reduce pressure on existing courts, and the construction of staff quarters for the Nigerian Law School.
Others are the design and construction of the Court of Appeal Abuja Division Complex and new residences for justices of the National Industrial Court, Federal High Court Abuja Division, and other key judicial bodies.
He stressed that all these projects are targeted at strengthening the justice system.
“Well-equipped court facilities, chambers, and support infrastructure ensure that judicial work is conducted in a professional, safe, and conducive environment,” he said.
Looking ahead to the new Legal Year, Wike said the FCTA is determined to build on ongoing reforms.
“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.
“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,” he said.
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