By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has commissioned 20 units judges’s quarters for the FCT High Court, describing it as parts of fulfillment of his administration’s promise to rebuild institutional trust, secure the nation and ensure the rule of law neither compromised or delayed.
Tinubu stated this during the commissioning ceremony of the 20 units FCT High Court Judges’ Quarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Represented by the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, the President said the quarters should not be seen as a mere unveiling of another building but a testament of his administration’s commitment to strengthening one of the vital pillars of democracy, which is the judiciary.
The President said before now, his administration had made similar provisions for judges of the Court of Appeal, Federal High Court and the Nigerian Law School amongst others.
” This commissioning does not stand alone. It is part of a broader, deliberate intervention by my administration.
Earlier in this season of commissioning projects executed by the FCT Administration, we handed over 10 units of similarly world-class residential quarters for judges of the Court of Appeal and another 10 for judges of the Federal High Court, all here in Katampe.
“We also commissioned the first phase of 10 units for mentors and staff of the Nigerian Law School, and the second phase has commenced in earnest. We also held groundbreaking ceremonies for residential quarters for judges of the National Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Today, it is the turn of the Federal Capital Territory High Court judges.
“Today’s event, therefore, is not merely the unveiling of another building. It is a testament to a deliberate and sustained commitment to strengthening one of the vital pillars of our democracy, that is, the judiciary.
Tinubu explained the imperative of ensuring that judges carry out their functions in a comfortable environment, noting that independence thinking requires an independent and secure environment
The President acknowledged the efforts of the FCT Minister,Nyesom Wike for his steady execution and close attention to detail which has turned plans into structures that serves judges, citizens and the future of the territory.
In his speech during the commissioning the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike disclosed that judges’ quarters projects becomes a reality as a result of directive given by President Tinubu on the need to ensure improve their welfare for judges and provision of adequate security for them.
According to Wike: ” First of all, you have to improve their welfare. Secondly, you have to protect and give them security.
Security is like what we are talking about now. You go to most places where our judges are living, and you don’t even know whether they are living around armed robbers, even those whose cases they are handling. It has been the directive of Mr. President that something has to be done.
” We are very proud to be here today to see that this assignment, which took off about one and a half years ago, has been completed. Like my Lord, the Chief Judge, said, one thing I have found out is that when contracts are awarded, that is when people believe they will not be completed and will become abandoned projects.
“I have always said we will not award contracts when we have no funds. Before contracts are awarded, we make sure there are funds to execute such projects.
The Minister promised that before the end of the year three structures of judges’ courts and magistrates courts would be handed over to the Chief Judge of the FCT.
