Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has criticized Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike’s decision to provide judges with houses and cars, calling it inappropriate.
Wike had in October initiated the construction of 40 judges’ quarters in Abuja’s Katampe District, a move that has sparked debate, with some describing it as unethical. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Falana argued that gifts from the executive to judiciary members, particularly judges, are improper.
“The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory operates like a state governor by virtue of Section 299 of the Constitution,” Falana said. “Therefore, he cannot allocate houses and cars to the federal high court, FCT high court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court judges.”
Falana argued that, as a federal minister with a budget limited to FCT affairs, Wike should not be offering gifts to judges who may oversee cases involving the FCT administration. “On the principle of equality before the court, it is inappropriate to give cars or houses to judges deciding cases involving your administration,” he stated.
Falana emphasized that the judiciary’s financial autonomy, granted by the Constitution, ensures it can manage its own budget without executive intervention.
Additionally, the senior lawyer condemned Wike’s recent demolition of private properties in the FCT, describing the actions as unlawful and “primitive.” He asserted that such demolitions are not authorized under the Urban and Regional Planning Act governing the FCT.
“In the FCT, any alleged violation of building laws must first be reviewed by the Urban and Regional Planning Board,” Falana explained. “Property owners can then appeal to the Urban and Regional Tribunal, and if necessary, to the High Court, which may issue a demolition order if warranted,” he added.
