The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged to tackle accommodation and welfare challenges faced by judges and magistrates in Abuja, noting that no serious fight against corruption can succeed without providing the judiciary with a conducive working environment.
Wike, who made the commitment on Tuesday while commencing the construction of new magistrate court buildings in the Jabi District of the FCT, said the government could no longer ignore the deplorable conditions under which judicial officers live and work.
“My Lord, the Chief Judge, on behalf of the FCT Administration, I thank you and your brother judges and magistrates for honoring this invitation,” Wike said, while stressing the link between justice delivery and adequate facilities.
“You cannot talk about fighting corruption if you do not provide the right environment for judges and magistrates, or take care of their welfare. Sometimes, the conditions under which they sit are very embarrassing, yet we still expect them to deliver justice quickly,” he said.
The minister described as “troubling” the fact that some judges in the nation’s capital still live in rented apartments, often exposed to embarrassment from landlords and forced to share compounds with criminals whose cases they preside over in court.
“That cannot continue. We must guarantee their safety and dignity. Under the current administration, the accommodation challenges facing our judiciary will be addressed. Steps are already being taken to provide housing and office spaces for both judges and magistrates so they can carry out their duties in a conducive environment,” Wike assured.
Responding to criticisms against the government for embarking on the provision of houses and offices for judicial officers, Wike clarified that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has always been responsible for constructing public buildings in Abuja.
“Virtually all public institutions here — from INEC to the Supreme Court — were constructed by the FCDA. What we are doing now is not new; it is simply fulfilling our responsibility,” he said, adding that critics must go beyond fault-finding to supporting solutions that strengthen the judiciary.
The minister also announced the introduction of a new IT system designed to modernize court processes and eliminate delays caused by manual record-keeping.
According to him, the initiative will ease the burden on court staff, quicken proceedings, and make justice delivery more efficient.
Wike commended the judiciary for its collaboration with the FCT Administration, noting that the sector’s support had contributed significantly to revenue generation.
“We want to continue to partner with you. Do not relent in your efforts,” he said.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, explained that the Jabi project is one of three new magistrate courts approved for construction by the FCT Administration. The other two are sited in Garki and Asokoro districts.
According to him, the new courts are designed to decongest overburdened judicial facilities, improve access to justice across the fast-growing FCT, and enhance the efficiency of legal service delivery.
“As Abuja continues to grow in population and urban development, these additional courts will help ensure the timely resolution of civil and criminal matters, uphold public order, and support economic development by strengthening the rule of law,” Dauda said.
He disclosed that the Jabi project would comprise a block of courtrooms, magistrates’ chambers, a conference room, library, offices, a gatehouse, generator house, fencing, external works, and full furnishing.
“The project will also create jobs during construction and, upon completion, provide a functional facility to support efficient judicial service delivery in the FCT,” he added.
Wike invited the Chief Judge of the FCT, judges, magistrates, and other leaders present to join him in laying the foundation for the new courts.
He described the initiative as a key step under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu to strengthen justice delivery.
