Wike: No FCT judge will live in rented apartment by the end of Tinubu’s first tenure

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says no judge in the nation’s capital will reside in a rented apartment by the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first term.

In a statement, Lere Olayinka, Wike’s media aide, said the minister spoke in Abuja on Monday during the inauguration of the construction of housing units for the president, court of appeal, chief judges of the federal high court, FCT high court, and president of the industrial court.

He said the housing initiative reflects Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare and efficiency of judicial officers nationwide.

Wike added that he had advised Tinubu to ensure his administration demonstrates a new approach to judges’ welfare.

“Let me also say what Mr President has done for the FCT. Before the first tenure of Mr President ends, no judge of the FCT will be living in a rented quarter,” he said.

“I said before the first tenure ends, no judge of the FCT high court; I didn’t say federal high court, I didn’t say national industrial court, but of the FCT high court, will be staying in a rented quarter.

“Let me make it clear. What we are doing today is not just for the heads of courts, and when they retire, they go, no.

“As they retire, the properties become their own. And that is the approval of Mr President. And that is why we issued the seal of oaths in their names.

“So, all of you who are here now, don’t think that when they are leaving tomorrow, you will see in the pages of the newspaper that the retired chief justice of the FCT has taken our house.

“Please, the policy of Mr President is that these heads of court, as they are retiring, must go home with their houses. And that is the true position.”

He assured that the project would be completed within 12 months, adding that certificates of ownership would be issued in the names of the beneficiaries.

Wike added that 40 houses are currently under construction – 10 for judges of the court of appeal, 10 for federal high court judges, and 20 for FCT high court judges.