Falana To Sue FG Over Allocation Of Houses To Judges

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has threatened to institute legal action against the Federal Government over the allocation of newly built luxury houses to judges in Abuja’s Katampe district, describing the move as discriminatory and contrary to the principle of equality before the law.

Falana said the decision to provide exclusive housing benefits to judges while other categories of public servants were excluded was unlawful and would soon be challenged in court.

Speaking in a video shared by NewsCentral on Thursday, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria said he was disturbed after watching the handover ceremony on television, arguing that he could not identify any law that justified the exercise.

According to him, the country had reached a stage where special privileges granted to top public officials should be questioned rather than accepted.

He maintained that while judges deserve decent accommodation and adequate security to carry out their duties, the same level of consideration should be extended to other public servants who also render essential services to the nation.

Falana argued that the government could not lawfully single out one class of public officials for preferential treatment while neglecting others, insisting that such actions violate the constitutional principle of equality.

Using university lecturers as an example, he noted that many professors are poorly paid and no longer enjoy access to staff quarters despite their contributions to national development.

He also criticised the benefits enjoyed by former governors serving in the National Assembly, stating that many continue to receive legislative salaries and allowances while retaining housing entitlements in their states and Abuja, unlike civil servants who retire after decades of service without similar benefits.

Falana stressed that equality before the law should apply to all citizens and urged the government to ensure fairness in the distribution of public resources and welfare.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration recently completed the housing project under the supervision of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The initiative involves the construction of 40 residential units for judges in Katampe, with some of the completed houses already commissioned by President Bola Tinubu for judges of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Wike had stated that the houses would be allocated to judges on an owner-occupier basis, subject to the approval of the President.

The project has continued to attract criticism from some stakeholders, who argue that the allocation of the houses could undermine public confidence in the independence of the judiciary.