Human Rights Lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has voiced opposition to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike’s decision to build houses for judges.
News About Nigeria recalls that in October, the minister launched the Design and Construction of 40 Judges’ Quarters in the Katampe District, Abuja. Despite criticism following its launch, the minister has continued with the project.
Responding to allegations that the housing project aims to influence judges for political purposes, the former Rivers State Governor stated on Wednesday that these claims are untrue and that he is not attempting to sway the judiciary.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Falana argued that it is illegal to offer gifts to judiciary members, especially judges, as there is already an allocation for the judiciary. He further asserted that the FCT Minister, functioning similarly to a state governor, offering such gifts could be perceived as seeking political goodwill from the judiciary.
He said, “The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory operates like a state governor by virtue of Section 299 of the Constitution. So, he cannot say, ‘I am going to build 40 houses, 10 for the federal high court, 10 for judges in the FCT high court, and 10 for the court of appeal and supreme court.’ No. As a minister of the Federal Government, akin to a state governor, your budget is limited to FCT affairs.
“So, you cannot, as the head of the FCT, be giving cars or houses to judges in the federal high court, the appeal court, and the supreme court. Secondly, you have cases before these courts, and on the principle of equality before the court, you cannot be seen giving cars or houses to judges who will be deciding your cases.”
