The Federal Government of Nigeria recently initiated the construction of 40 quarters for judges and justices residing in the country, aimed at enhancing productivity within the judiciary, a key arm of the government.

The construction of residential quarters for judges in Abuja has triggered widespread criticism from Nigerians who question why the Executive arm prioritised housing for judicial officers over other pressing national needs.

In September 2024, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the construction of the quarters as part of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said the initiative was designed to provide secure and comfortable accommodation for judicial officers. The allocation includes 20 units for the FCT High Court, 10 for the Federal High Court, and 10 for the Court of Appeal. The project was initially assigned a 15-month completion timeline.

Wike said, “For the importance that the president attaches to the judiciary, he finds it difficult to understand how judges and justices will be living in rented houses and hotels, which is not safe for our judicial officials. It is not convenient for them to do their work. And so, the president directed that the FCT, through the FCDA, immediately construct 40 numbered judges’ and justices’ quarters at 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.”

Nigerians Demand Government Accountability Amid Judiciary Welfarism 

On November 20, 2025, Wike announced on his X (formerly Twitter) account that he had inspected the ongoing construction. While some areas were satisfactory, he expressed concerns about the slow overall pace of work.

The FCT minister said, “Yesterday, I inspected the ongoing construction of Judges’ Quarters and Court of Appeal Complex in Abuja. Some of the sections visited were satisfactory, but the overall pace is still below the level required for a project of such national importance.

“For President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, creating a conducive environment for judges is essential for sustaining public trust in the justice system. If you don’t have confidence in the judiciary, you cannot be sure of the future of our democracy.”

“Therefore, what we are doing is creating the right environment for the judiciary so that our judges can put in their best and maintain public trust in their work. Most importantly, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is committed to strengthening the judiciary through improved welfare and infrastructure.” He added.

However, numerous Nigerians expressed criticism toward the government for focusing on providing housing for judges rather than prioritising key public services such as healthcare, education, and security. Additionally, concerns were raised about the judiciary’s independence in making judgments within Nigeria.

Mr. Ben Samuel, a public servant in Abuja, condemned the project, stating that it is irresponsible of the executive to build houses for the judiciary.

“When exactly do you plan to start building houses for Supreme Court justices in Abuja, just to make sure no judge is left behind? Since you’ve all decided to lose your minds. What happened to the judiciary’s own budgetary allocation? Providing houses for judges is not the responsibility of the executive.

“Focus on fixing hospitals, schools, and roads in Abuja. Pay workers decent wages and guarantee the safety of residents,” he said.

Mr. Obiora Otu, an education consultant, said, “Nowhere in the world do governments build personal houses for judges; they earn salaries and, like every other citizen, are expected to secure their own homes. If this administration were genuinely concerned about “creating a conducive environment,” then teachers, doctors, nurses, police officers, and, most importantly, our military personnel, people whose working and living conditions are often deplorable, would not still be living and serving in facilities that resemble abandoned toilets of the 1940s.

“Instead, judges who already received salary increases are being offered premium housing in one of Abuja’s most exclusive areas. Common sense tells anyone watching that this is not about welfare. It’s about politics. “Mr. Obiorah added.

Mr Tony Orumgbe, an entrepreneur, echoed similar sentiments, insisting that the Executive has no business providing housing for the Judiciary in a democracy.

“The Executive has no business in providing anything to the Judiciary in a democracy. It is supposed to be independent in a democracy. You’re a lawyer, you should know better.”

Iwhente Godson, a digital strategy coach in Lagos, mentioned that “Judges already have comfortable houses, why not build a world-class hospital so that Judges can have access to good health care in Nigeria.

Raymond Osifo, an oncologist in Delta State, described the act as a form of bribery. He said, “While this action is lawful, the optics are not nice at all. In a country where the trust for the judiciary is at its all-time low, this can be interpreted as a form of bribery. By handing out these houses, you are blatantly compromising the independence of the judiciary through what is nothing short of bribery and executive overreach.”

Mercy Okechukwu, a data analyst, advised Nigerians to hold the government accountable. “Don’t be fooled. This isn’t about strengthening the judiciary – it’s about bending it. While terrorists roam freely and Nigerians die daily, Wike and Tinubu are building palaces to keep judges under control. Democracy is being sold to the highest bidder. Shame!”

Adanu Williams, a university lecturer in Abuja, advised the government to consider building houses for military officers as a benefit for their sacrifices to the Nation.

“It is time you also consider building a new military barracks as the existing ones have been overcrowded. Gallant officers like Lt Yerima, Retired Officers and families of our fallen heroes need befitting homes for all the sacrifices they have made to this nation, too.

Why Judicial Independence is Important in a Democratic System

The Nigerian Constitution separates governmental powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and judicial independence is a key part of this separation.

The Judiciary is the third arm of the realm of government. It is the only branch not made up of elected representatives, but of persons appointed to perform the very fundamental role of adjudication in society. It is that branch of government invested with judicial power, which is intended to interpret, construe and apply the law.

Section 6(1) and (2) of the 1999 constitution provide that the Judicial powers in a Federation and a State shall be vested in the courts established for the Federation and the state, respectively.

According to Section 6(1)“The judicial powers of the Federation shall be vested in the courts to which this section relates, being courts established for the Federation.”

Also, Section 6(2) “The judicial powers of a State shall be vested in the courts to which this section relates, being courts established, subject as provided by this Constitution, for a State.”

In a democratic country like Nigeria, judicial independence is a constitutional principle that ensures the courts can make decisions free from political influence, financial pressure, intimidation, or interference from the executive, legislature, or powerful individuals. It is essential for the rule of law, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.

On November 13, 2024, human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, criticised the government for gifting houses to judges. Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, he argued that the National Judicial Council (NJC) should solely manage judicial welfare.

Falana said, “Judges’ housing should be managed by the national judicial council, adding that executive assistance to the judiciary should go through the national assembly.

“If the executive wants to assist the judiciary, the appropriate approach is to go to the national assembly. You can have a supplementary budget. If it has been discovered that the judiciary needs housing in Abuja, then the national assembly should make the necessary appropriations.

“Judges need houses, of course. Judges need cars, of course. They need security, of course. But these should be provided by the NJC within its budget, “he added.

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