Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stressed the need for judicial officers to have a robust welfare package including housing.
According to him, the assurance of a house after retirement would insulate judges from manipulation, interference and exposure to certain temptations.
The minister spoke on Monday at the official Flag-Off Ceremony of the Design and Construction of 40 Judges’ Quarters in the Katampe District in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
He said, “If you want to insulate the judiciary from manipulation, from interference, it is important to review their conditions of service; one of the conditions of service has to do with their remuneration
“Another condition of service that is very critical and can insulate the judiciary from interference is housing. Every man needs housing so also judicial officers.
“It’s not every time we say we will support the independence of the judiciary, we must show in practice, we must show in action.”
Wike said with the guarantee of their houses, judges would be firm in delivering judgements and courageous in doing their work.
He said, “Mr President said we must at all times provide housing but that can only be better if we have owner-occupier so that every judge will know that at the end of the day, I’m retiring from office, I have my own home.
“With this, it would 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 retiring? When you know that your tenure of office is guaranteed, anybody will be firm, anybody will be courageous to do his work or her work.”
Wike said 70% of funds for the project had been released after its approval by the Federal Executive Council last month. He said out of the 40 units to be constructed, 20 will be allocated to the FCT High Court, 10 to the Federal High Court, and 10 to the Court of Appeal.
The event was attended by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; and the President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem; among other dignitaries.