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Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has said that judicial independence cannot be achieved in the country without a conducive working environment and improved welfare for judges.
Wike made the remarks on Wednesday during the commissioning of judges’ quarters for the Nigerian High Court, emphasising the importance of adequate infrastructure for the judiciary.
“Yesterday, we commissioned the 10 judges’ quarters for the Court of Appeal. Today, we’re here for the Federal High Court. July 7th, precisely, we will be doing that of the FCT High Court, which has the highest number, that’s 20, but all the same standard,” he said.
He added that the allocation of the housing units would be determined by the Chief Judge of the High Court.
“I’m sure the judges of the Federal High Court, even though I do not know whether they have taken a look by going inside, but I do know I pity the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, how he’s going to allocate these houses,” Wike said.
According to him, the projects reflect the Nigerian government’s commitment to improving judicial welfare and strengthening the rule of law.
“Anything that is good is good. Nobody that will come here, no matter how wicked you are, no matter how unappreciative you are, you will say, Mr. President, we thank you for doing this,” he said.
“Again, it’s also to understand how Mr. President feels, what he thinks about the judiciary, how the judiciary should be independent. But it cannot be independent when you cannot talk about giving them a befitting environment to work, improving their welfare.”
He said such improvements are essential to strengthening the independence of the judiciary and upholding the rule of law.
