Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the construction of judges' quarters in the Federal Capital Territory, insisting that the project is aimed at improving welfare and working conditions of judicial officers and not an inducement.
Speaking during his monthly live media chat, the FCT Minister explained the purpose of the initiative and argued that better working environments help public institutions function more effectively. Wike maintained that providing residential quarters and better facilities for judges is part of a broader effort to strengthen institutions, stressing that similar support has also been extended to other arms of government, including the legislature, security agencies, and electoral bodies.
“The essence is to provide what will enable the judiciary to perform effectively without complaints. Welfare is important, and the working environment is equally critical,” Wike said.
“Is this the kind of office the judiciary should have? Regardless of how much money is allocated, if people work in a conducive environment, they are more likely to give their best. Look at this environment. Why would anyone work here and not be motivated to perform? Go and see the residences of judges, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court and the FCT High Court—they are all properly furnished and maintained.
“When we build facilities for the National Assembly, what is the purpose? When we provide infrastructure for the police, what is the purpose? When we support INEC, what is the purpose? Assuming there is a dispute or conflict, where do you go? You go to the courts. That is why the judiciary must be properly supported.
“When I was Governor of Cross River State, we had one of the worst Court of Appeal facilities. Whenever it rained, we sat on plastic chairs. As governor, I witnessed firsthand the poor condition under which judicial matters were handled.
“In Rivers State, many industrial matters had to be taken to Bayelsa State for adjudication, even though about 80 per cent of those cases originated from Rivers. I said no, this cannot continue. We encouraged the National Industrial Court to build a befitting court facility so that people would no longer have to travel from Rivers State to Bayelsa for industrial matters.
“We also intervened in the Federal High Court. If you had seen the condition of the court before, you would have asked, ‘What kind of government allows this?’ We said no. For a state like Rivers, such conditions were simply unacceptable,” he said.
