The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting the nation’s Judiciary from all forms of manipulation and inducement......KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE👈
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), made this declaration on Monday in Abuja during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Judges’ Quarters in the Katampe District. The quarters will feature 40 houses designated for various categories of judges and is expected to be completed within 15 months.
The event was attended by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, among other dignitaries.
Wike emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s determination to improve judges’ living conditions, stating that the independence of the Judiciary is a top priority for the administration. He highlighted that the president has consistently advocated for measures that ensure judicial independence.
“Mr. President has always asked, how do we work for the independence of the Judiciary? One of the fundamental aspects of judicial independence is the tenure of judicial officers,” Wike said. He noted that the administration has amended the constitution to ensure that all judicial officers can retire at the age of 70.
He added, “The conditions of service are critical to the independence of the Judiciary. To insulate the Judiciary from manipulation or interference by either the Legislature or the Executive, we must address their conditions of service, including remuneration. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General recently stated that one of President Tinubu’s first actions was to amend the salaries and allowances of judicial officers in 2024, which he has just assented to. This is aimed at providing hope and ensuring that their compensation is adequate.”
Wike further emphasized that housing is another essential condition for insulating the Judiciary from external influences. He said, “Every individual needs housing, including judicial officers. Mr. President has made it clear that we must demonstrate our support for judicial independence through action, not just words. By providing housing, we ensure that judges will have a home upon retirement, making it difficult for anyone to manipulate or interfere with them.”
He added that when judges are assured of stable salaries, allowances, and guaranteed tenure, they will be empowered to perform their duties with integrity and courage.
Nyesom Wike, also narrated how he revoked the certificate of occupancy (C of O) of plots of land in the Katampe District of Abuja allocated to German construction giant, Julius Berger.
Addressing the CJN, Wike recalled how the land for the proposed quarters was secured.
“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, ‘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 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 organisation to develop and they did not develop it? Thank God they did not develop it and now we can have it,” Wike told the gathering.
In her remarks, Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, expressed gratitude to Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and other members of the Federal Executive Council for their continued support of the government’s initiatives.