By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening judicial independence through improved welfare, security and modern infrastructure for judicial officers, saying judges cannot dispense justice effectively without a secure and dignified working environment.
Represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), at the commissioning of 20 housing units for judges of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Katampe on Wednesday, Abuja, the President described the project as another milestone in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tinubu said the newly commissioned quarters are part of a broader intervention to improve the welfare of judicial officers, recalling that similar housing projects have already been delivered for judges of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court, while residential projects for the National Industrial Court, Code of Conduct Tribunal and the Nigerian Law School are also underway.
Responding to criticism that the projects could influence the judiciary, the President dismissed the claims, insisting that providing decent accommodation does not compromise judicial independence but rather strengthens it.
According to him, judges perform better when they work and live in secure, comfortable environments, stressing that the intervention is separate from the judiciary’s statutory budget and is aimed solely at enhancing the administration of justice.
“The influence these projects are meant to exert is one that gives judges peace of mind, security and comfort to discharge their constitutional responsibilities without fear or distraction,” he said.
Speaking at the ceremony, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike disclosed that improving judges’ welfare was one of the directives President Tinubu gave him and the Attorney General immediately after they were appointed ministers.
He said the President specifically instructed them to protect judicial independence by improving the welfare and security of judicial officers.
Wike explained that the construction of the judges’ quarters became necessary because many judicial officers lived in environments that exposed them to security risks, including living close to individuals whose cases they presided over.
The minister said the project, which commenced about 18 months ago, was completed because the FCT Administration only awards contracts after securing adequate funding, eliminating the problem of abandoned projects.
He also announced that three new court complexes for judges and magistrates would be completed before the end of the year and revealed plans to construct an additional 20 housing units for FCT judges before the end of President Tinubu’s first term.
Wike further disclosed that the administration would seek presidential approval to allocate the houses to beneficiaries on an owner-occupier basis, saying such a policy would encourage proper maintenance and long-term preservation of the facilities.
Earlier, Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, described the housing project as a major boost to judicial independence, stressing that judges require adequate welfare and secure accommodation to dispense justice courageously and impartially.
He said the project demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and appealed for similar residential projects for judges of the FCT Sharia Court of Appeal and the Customary Court of Appeal.
Justice Baba-Yusuf assured residents that the judiciary would continue to uphold the rule of law and deliver justice fairly and without fear or favour despite the increasing demands on the courts.
