By Sarah NEGEDU
President Bola Tinubu on Monday, declared that judges deserve working conditions that match the importance of their constitutional responsibilities, insisting that the newly completed Court of Appeal complex in Abuja is “not a favour” but their right.
The declaration came as the President commissioned the Court of Appeal Abuja Division Building Complex in Dakibiyu, built by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, to ease pressure on one of the country’s busiest appellate courts.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu said his administration would continue to invest in judicial infrastructure as part of efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and improve access to justice.
“You deserve an environment that matches the weight of your responsibility. This complex is not a favour. It is your right. And we will do more,” the President said.
Tinubu described the project as a clear demonstration of his administration’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary, saying the quality of facilities available to judicial officers must reflect the critical role they play in safeguarding democracy and the rule of law.
According to him, the new court complex is ensure justice for all. In his words, “This will go a long way to ensure that there is justice for all, uphold the rule of law, maintain law and order in the Federal Capital Territory, and reduce congestion in our correctional centres. This is how you honour the Judiciary. This is how you strengthen democracy.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not a slogan. It is action. We said we would restore the dignity of our institutions. We are doing it for the Judiciary. We are doing it in health, in education, in roads, in power. Brick by brick, we are rebuilding Nigeria.”
The President noted that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal had for years operated from an inadequate facility despite its strategic role in handling election petitions, constitutional matters and other appeals of national importance.
“A nation that seeks justice must respect the temple of justice. When I visited and saw the condition, I gave a simple instruction: fix it. Today, we have fixed it,” he stated.
He also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for delivering the project within the promised timeframe.
“When I appointed you as Minister of the FCT, I knew you would not sleep. You promised 16 months. You delivered in record time. No excuses. No variation. Just results. Nigerians can see the difference,” Tinubu said.
The newly completed facility comprises two large courtrooms, eight smaller courtrooms, 10 judges’ suites, three conference halls, a library, administrative offices and other support facilities designed to improve the administration of justice.
Earlier, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), described the commissioning as a historic moment for Nigeria’s judiciary, noting that it coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Court of Appeal.
He said President Tinubu had demonstrated unprecedented support for the judiciary through deliberate reforms, improved welfare packages and sustained investment in infrastructure.
According to Fagbemi, one of the administration’s most significant interventions was the upward review of judicial officers’ remuneration by more than 300 per cent, the first major increase in decades.
“Indeed, no administration in Nigeria’s recent history has provided the level of support to the judiciary that we have witnessed under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
The Attorney-General added that the administration was also delivering residential accommodation for judicial officers and strengthening the capacity of courts through the appointment of qualified judicial personnel.
In his remarks, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said the decision to build the complex followed concerns over the poor state of the Court of Appeal Abuja Division and the need to provide a more conducive environment for judges and court workers.
He disclosed that President Tinubu immediately approved the construction of both a new court complex and residential quarters after being informed of the situation.
“When I informed Mr. President of the condition of the Court of Appeal, he immediately directed that we should not only provide a befitting complex but also decent accommodation for judges and justices,” Wike said.
The minister announced that residences built for Court of Appeal justices would be handed over this week, while similar housing projects for Federal High Court and FCT High Court judges had been completed and would soon be commissioned.
He added that housing projects for judges of the National Industrial Court and members of the Code of Conduct Tribunal would also be flagged off.
Wike maintained that meaningful judicial independence cannot be achieved without adequate infrastructure and a conducive working environment.
“You cannot talk about the independence of the judiciary when the judiciary does not have a befitting environment where they can carry out their functions,” he said.
The minister also urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory to fulfil their civic obligations by paying taxes, ground rents and other statutory charges needed to fund development projects.
President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, described the new complex as a transformative intervention that would significantly enhance the administration of justice.
She said the Abuja Division had for years struggled with inadequate infrastructure despite handling one of the heaviest caseloads in the country.
“The lack of infrastructure has continuously slowed down the timely administration of justice. Even when multiple panels are constituted to reduce backlog, we often have to rely on courtrooms provided by sister courts,” she said.
Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed appreciation to the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, FCT High Court and the Customary Court of Appeal for accommodating the court over the years.
FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the new Court of Appeal complex as a milestone in strengthening democratic institutions and improving access to justice. She said it reflects the country’s commitment to the rule of law and judicial excellence.
She therefore commended President Bola Tinubu for his Renewed Hope Agenda and praised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for delivering another landmark project, expressing confidence that the facility would enhance public trust in the justice system.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Visible Construction Limited, Olalekan Adebiyi, said the successful delivery of the project demonstrated the capacity of indigenous firms to deliver critical national infrastructure to world-class standards.
Adebiyi described the complex as a major contribution to the justice sector and commended President Tinubu and the FCT Administration for prioritising investments that strengthen public institutions.
He commended President Tinubu and the FCT Administration for creating opportunities for local contractors to participate in nation-building through strategic infrastructure development.
