By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike has said that the decision being taking by President Bola Tinubu administration by providing qualitative housing for judges was aimed at insulating judiciary from manipulation and interference.
Wike stated this during the Flagg off ceremony in Abuja for the construction of 40 units housing scheme for judges named Judges Quarters in Katampe District of the nation’s capital.
The Minister disclosed that the housing units was designed to accommodate 20 Judges of the FCT High Court, 10 Judges of the Federal High Court and 10 from the Appeal Court.
He explained that the measures was aimed towards ensuring that Judicial officers do their jobs without interference of any kind.
According to him, if Judges are given strong assurance that their post-retirement housing needs have been taken care of, they can be confident and not get compromised.
Wike said, “Another condition of service that’s very, very critical and isolating the judiciary from interference is housing.
“Housing, every man needs housing. So also judicial officers. And so Mr. President said, listen, it’s not every time we talk about who supports the independence of the judiciary. We must show in practice. We must show in action that we were indeed not saying so, but we are doing so.
” People can see that we are seriously doing that. And Mr. President said, we must, at all times, provide housing, but that can only be better if you have an owner-occupier.
“And so every judge will know that at the end of the day, I’m retiring from office, I have my own home. With that, it will be difficult for anybody to manipulate or interfere.
” When you have a home, what are you afraid of? When you know that salaries and allowances can be paid when you are retired, when you know that your tenure of office is guaranteed, that, of anybody would be firm.
” Anybody would be courageous to do his work or her work. And that is what Mr. President, his legal agenda, is doing, not merely talking, but showing in action”.
