Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), recently recounted his decision to revoke the certificate of occupancy (C of O) for land allocated to Julius Berger, a German construction company, in the Katampe District of Abuja.
Wike made this revelation during the official Flag-Off Ceremony of the Design and Construction of 40 Judges’ Quarters in Abuja. The event was graced by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, along with other dignitaries.
According to the minister, 70% of the funds for the project were already released following the Federal Executive Council’s approval last month. He noted that of the 40 units to be built, 20 would be allocated to the FCT High Court, 10 to the Federal High Court, and 10 to the Court of Appeal. Wike restated that providing housing for judges after retirement helps shield them from manipulation, interference, and certain temptations.
Speaking to the CJN, Wike detailed how the land for the judges’ quarters was acquired.
“My Lord, let me bring to your notice. You have seen this land here. When we were looking for where to get land to build. I was driving around looking for empty land and I got here and saw this empty land.
“I saw the big post: ‘Julius Berger’. I didn’t talk. I called the director of lands (and asked him): who owns that land? And he said: Julius Berger. When was it allocated? He said about 15, 20 years ago. 15, 20 years ago? Nothing has been done? I didn’t bother.
“So, I invited the MD (Managing Director of) Julius Berger. He came and we had dinner. I didn’t talk about the land. The next day, he was in the office and he saw the revocation letter as a matter of public interest.
“He called me and said but I had dinner with you. I said yes; we had dinner but we didn’t discuss the land.
“How will the government allocate land for more than 20 years for organisations to develop and they did not develop it? Thank God they did not develop it and now we can have it.”