By Our Reporter
ABUJA FCT – The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that the Federal Executive Council, chaired by President Bola Tinubu, has approved the construction of 40 houses in Abuja for judges in the country.
Wike disclosed this to journalists at the FEC meeting held on Monday, stating that the houses will be built in the rich neighbourhood of Abuja in the Katampe district.
According to the Capital’s minister, the houses are billed for construction and to be completed in 15 months without giving an estimated cost of public funds that will spent to execute the project.
Wike, however, explained that 20 houses are for the FCT High Court, 10 for the Federal High Court, and 10 for the Appeal Court.
President Tinubu understands the relevance of judges as he was unhappy that judges and justices live in unsafe rented houses and hotels, Wike stated.
He further stated, “It is inconvenient for them to do their work. The president directed the FCT, through the FCDA, to construct 40 numbered judges and justices’ quarters immediately in the Katampe district.
What it means is that out of these 40 FCT high courts, the FCT court will have 20, the federal high court will have 10, the court of appeal will have 10, and this will be completed in fifteen months’ time.
In light of the approval for houses, Wike also disclosed that the construction of access roads to judicial quarters in the FCT, slated for completion in December, was also approved.
It is worth noting that since the last presidential election outturn at the Supreme Court that led to the assumption of Tinubu as President, he has increased the Nigerian judge’s salaries by 300%, including the Chief Judge billed to earn N64 million annually.
(West Africa Weekly)
