SAHARA REPORTERS
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has claimed that the houses he built for some Nigerian judges in Abuja was just him implementing President Bola Tinubu’s policy.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State made the claim on Wednesday during a media chat while dismissing allegations that his construction of houses for judges in Abuja is a scheme to influence the judiciary for political advantage.
He said the initiative to build houses for judges is not his personal policy but a welfare policy introduced by President Tinubu as part of his measure to strengthen the independence of the judiciary.
Wike claimed that the project was part of the 2024 national budget and that his role is to oversee its implementation.
He said, “President Tinubu asked, ‘Where are the judges living? They have no homes, and that makes them vulnerable to political manipulation. As a president who values judicial independence, I believe judges must have their own homes.’”
Wike further said, “I am not the president. I am simply fortunate to serve as a minister in this administration, tasked with implementing the president’s policies. President Tinubu said, ‘This is what I want to do, so let’s find a way to make it happen.’
“This is not just a personal decision—it’s a law, part of the approved budget. What’s the issue? I am simply carrying out the directive to ensure that judges, who currently live in rented accommodation, are relocated to more secure and appropriate housing.”
Wike said that the building of houses for judges is a “is in the budget of 2024, appropriated by the National Assembly, assented to by Mr President which is a law. What is the problem? I am only the implementor, go and implement this.”
The minister said the construction of judges’ quarters was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), while he is merely implementing what he described as a government-approved policy.
He however said that even if the idea had come from him, there would be nothing wrong with it, noting that he had undertaken similar initiatives as governor of Rivers State.
He faulted Nigerians criticizing the project, especially those from within the legal profession, saying that he believes it should have been seen as a positive step to protect the integrity and independence of the judiciary.
THIS STORY FIRST APPEARED IN SAHARA REPORTERS
