The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced that the Federal Executive Council (FEC), led by President Bola Tinubu, has approved the construction of 40 luxury residences for judges in Abuja.
These homes will be located in the upscale Kantampe district of the capital.
Speaking to journalists after the FEC meeting on Monday, Wike stated that the project is expected to be completed within 15 months, though he did not disclose the projected cost.
The distribution of the residences will be as follows: 20 houses for the FCT High Court, 10 for the Federal High Court, and 10 for the Court of Appeal.
Wike emphasized the president’s concern for the welfare and security of the judiciary, pointing out that many judges and justices currently reside in rented homes or hotels, which compromises their safety and ability to perform their duties effectively.
In response, President Tinubu directed the FCT Administration, through the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), to begin the construction of these specialized quarters immediately.
Additionally, the minister revealed that the construction of access roads to the judicial quarters, scheduled for completion by December, has also been approved.
This housing initiative follows President Tinubu’s earlier move to significantly boost judges’ salaries, including a 300% pay raise for Nigerian judges, with the Chief Justice now set to earn N64 million annually.