Responding to claims of political manoeuvring, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has clarified the purpose behind the construction of housing for judges in Abuja. Wike stressed that the initiative is not intended to secure political advantage but to prioritise the safety and dignity of the judiciary.
He said, “So, I want to say clearly, the idea is not mine. It has nothing to do with me. I’m not the president of Nigeria. It’s the Fair and Simple Council. First of all, we have Mr. President. Then we have Mr. Vice President. And I approved.
“And I have to implement what Mr. President’s policies are. We are not stopping. We are not attempting to capture the judiciary, as people are saying.
“It was approved by Mr. President. It was sent to the national assembly in the 2024 budget. It was in that budget that there should be construction of Justices Quarters”.
Wike pointed out the challenging living conditions many judges endure, including renting apartments in unsafe neighbourhoods and residing in areas with criminal activity. He shared an instance where a judge was evicted by a landlord over unpaid rent, describing the situation as deeply embarrassing.
The Minister affirmed that the policy of constructing homes for judges is a positive initiative designed to offer secure and dignified living arrangements for members of the judiciary.
Watch the full interview below.
