***Says No FCT High Court Judge Will Live in Rented Quarters Before 2027
Judicial officers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will now own their official residences upon retirement, following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, made this known on Monday the 13th of October 2025 during the flag-off of design and construction of Residences for Heads of Courts (President Court of Appeal, Federal High Court , Chief Judge of the FCT Abuja and President Industrial Court), describing the move as one of the boldest judicial welfare reforms under the current administration.
Wike explained that the initiative was in line with President Tinubu’s directive to enhance the welfare and performance of judicial officers nationwide.
“What we are doing today is not just for the heads of courts while they are in service. As they retire, the property becomes their own. This is the approval of Mr. President, and that is why we issued the Certificates of Occupancy in their names,” Wike said.
He emphasized that no FCT judge would retire without a home or be forced to live in rented accommodation, assuring that “before the first tenure of Mr. President ends, no judge of the FCT High Court will be living in a rented quarter.”
According to the Minister, the welfare initiative for judges is captured in the 2024 and 2025 FCT budgets, both approved by the National Assembly and assented to by the President.
He praised President Tinubu for their unwavering support, noting that the President has “changed the narrative” in judicial welfare and infrastructure. Wike announced that the FCT Administration is building 10 duplexes for the Court of Appeal, 10 for the Federal High Court, and 20 for the FCT High Court all scheduled for completion within 12 months.
He warned that there would be no contract variation or delay, saying, “We don’t have a history of starting projects and abandoning them. The agreement says 12 months no excuses.”
The Minister also revealed plans to digitalize the FCT High Court under the 2025 budget, as part of broader judicial reforms. “Our judges deserve the best, and I thank God that Mr. President has made it a policy to ensure that during his tenure, the welfare of judicial officers takes a new turn,” he stated.
In his goodwill message, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, lauded President Tinubu and Wike for their commitment to judicial reform, describing the initiative as a landmark step toward strengthening access to justice and Nigeria’s democracy.
He noted that constructing modern residences for judges reflects the President’s vision for a robust justice system, adding, “When Wike says a project will be completed in 12 months, I believe him because he has never failed.”
Fagbemi also recalled the President’s recent approval of a 300.2 percent salary increase for judicial officers the first in over two decades as further evidence of the administration’s dedication to judicial welfare. He urged state governments to emulate the FCT’s example, saying, “When courts are well equipped, justice is faster, trust is deeper, and democracy becomes stronger.”
Speaking earlier, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as a symbol of collective commitment to strengthening the pillars of justice and governance. “This project is about honour, dignity, and institutional pride providing befitting residences for our esteemed Heads of Courts whose integrity upholds the rule of law in Nigeria,” she said.
Dr. Mahmoud commended President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and applauded Wike for his “dynamic drive and practical commitment” to transforming Abuja’s infrastructure landscape.
