Wike: Judges' Housing Estate Built on Tinubu's Directive, Remains Federal Government Property
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Bobo Akachukwu Ntia
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has clarified that the housing estate allocated to judicial officers in Abuja is a public infrastructure project executed by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) following a directive from President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on the project, Wike said the residential development was conceived to address the longstanding accommodation challenges faced by judges serving in the Federal Capital Territory. He stressed that the buildings are government-owned assets and were not constructed as private gifts or personal property for members of the judiciary.
According to the minister, President Tinubu approved the initiative as part of the administration's commitment to strengthening public institutions and improving the welfare of key public officials responsible for the administration of justice.
Wike explained that the FCDA undertook the construction in line with the presidential directive, ensuring that the project met the accommodation needs of judicial officers who had experienced difficulties securing suitable housing within the nation's capital.
"The houses are public buildings built by the FCDA based on the directive of Mr. President," the minister stated, reiterating that the estate remains the property of the Federal Government.
He noted that providing decent accommodation for judges is essential to promoting efficiency, independence and stability within the judiciary, adding that improved welfare contributes to a more effective justice delivery system.
The FCT Administration has in recent months intensified infrastructure development across Abuja, including the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, schools, healthcare facilities and public housing. The judicial housing project forms part of these broader efforts aimed at modernising public infrastructure and enhancing service delivery in the capital.
Wike maintained that the Tinubu administration remains committed to implementing projects that strengthen governance institutions and improve working conditions for public servants.
The minister's clarification comes amid public discussions surrounding the ownership and purpose of the housing estate, with some reports generating questions over whether the residences had been transferred to individual judges.
By emphasising that the estate remains a government asset, Wike sought to dispel such interpretations, stating that the project was executed solely in the public interest and as part of institutional support for the judiciary.
For years, accommodation has remained a significant challenge for many judicial officers posted to Abuja, where the high cost of housing has placed additional financial pressure on judges. Successive stakeholders within the justice sector have advocated improved welfare packages, arguing that adequate housing is vital to preserving judicial independence and ensuring officers can perform their constitutional responsibilities without unnecessary hardship.
The Federal Capital Development Authority, the agency responsible for planning and executing infrastructure projects in the FCT, has overseen several landmark developments under the current administration. The construction of dedicated residences for judges aligns with ongoing federal efforts to strengthen critical institutions through strategic infrastructure investment and improved welfare programmes.
