Wike promises official residences for FCT judges by 2027
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged that by the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first term, no judge of the FCT High Court will still be living in a rented house. Wike made this announcement during a ceremony in Abuja to flag off the construction of official residences for heads of the courts in the FCT. The project aims to build housing specifically for the Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, FCT High Court, and the Industrial Court.
The housing units under construction include 40 duplex residences: 10 for judges of the Court of Appeal, 10 for judges of the Federal High Court, and 20 for judges of the FCT High Court. Wike emphasized that once completed, these homes will belong to the judges personally — even after retirement. Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-Os) will be issued in the judges’ names.
Wike criticised the existing situation where judges live in rented quarters or sometimes with relatives, pointing out that in many cases they do not know their landlords or neighbours. This arrangement, he said, is untenable especially given the sensitive nature of judicial duties, which often involve presiding over serious criminal matters. Such living conditions, he argued, can pose risks and undermine the dignity and safety of the judges.
The funding and approval for the project are secured in the 2024 and 2025 FCT budgets, already passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Tinubu. Wike has insisted that the housing project be completed within 12 months and delivered without delays or contract variation.
While the promise involves judges of multiple courts, Wike made clear that the guarantee to end living in rented accommodation “by 2027” applies particularly to judges of the FCT High Court. He clarified that the statement does not cover all judges nationwide in every court.
This new housing initiative is part of broader reforms meant to boost welfare, security, independence, and institutional dignity in the judiciary under the Tinubu administration.
