As part of activities marking the third anniversary of his administration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, commissioned the newly constructed Court of Appeal Judges’ Quarters in Katampe District, FCT, and flagged off housing projects for the National Industrial Court and Code of Conduct Tribunal. Represented by Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the President described secure housing for judges as “not a matter of privilege” but a strategic investment in the rule of law. A day earlier, he also commissioned the state-of-the-art Court of Appeal, Abuja Division Building in Dakibiyu, calling it a “bold statement” of his Renewed Hope Agenda, reports Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka Our Consulting Editor, Abuja.
The Katampe project consists of ten premium 5-bedroom duplexes with attached three-bedroom domestic quarters, designed to provide secure, serene, and world-class accommodation for Justices of the Court of Appeal, according to a press release signed by Rabi Musa Umar, Deputy Director, Press, Office of the Hon. Minister, FCTA.
President Tinubu emphasized that a robust justice sector is the bedrock of good governance, economic growth, and social stability. “When judges are provided with secure accommodation, a conducive working environment, and institutional support, the entire justice system benefits, and ultimately, the nation as well,” he stated.
He revealed the project was executed as a special federal intervention, separate from the judiciary’s statutory allocations, which have also seen historic increases under his administration. The commissioning coincided with the flag-off of residential quarters for the National Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
Tinubu commended FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike as “dependable, hardworking, diligent, and a man of taste,” praising him for translating presidential directives into visible, high-quality projects in record time.
The President called on sub-national authorities to replicate the FCT’s efforts. “The responsibility of supporting the judiciary must not rest only with the Federal Government. State governments have a corresponding obligation to ensure their judiciaries are adequately funded, properly equipped and provided with infrastructure,” he said.
FCT Minister Wike disclosed that the Administration took bold steps to secure the land, which had been allocated to a construction firm 15 years ago but remained undeveloped. He recalled being accused of “land grabbing” on social media over the revocation, but said the completed quarters had vindicated him.
“They can now see that I didn’t come to grab land. I only came to see where we can develop and provide infrastructure for our judicial officers. Once you know what you are doing, don’t bother yourself about naysayers,” Wike declared.
The Minister revealed that additional surrounding private lands are being acquired with fair compensation to create a fully secure, isolated buffer zone for the judges, ensuring safety and privacy.
Wike charged the judiciary to establish a strict maintenance culture to preserve the estate. He also urged state governors to stop relying solely on the federal government and actively build infrastructure for courts within their jurisdictions.
President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, said the commissioning holds historic weight as it coincides with the Court’s 50th anniversary. She stressed that secure, comfortable housing shields judges from external pressures and security threats, directly improving the quality of justice.
Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Minister Wike for bequeathing the Justices with modern, dignified housing that fosters reflection and sound legal research.
President of the National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip, also commended the FCT Administration for the forward-thinking initiative to construct dedicated quarters for the NICN and Code of Conduct Tribunal judges.
Acting Head of Service FCTA, Nancy Sabanti Nathan, delivered the vote of thanks, appreciating President Tinubu for strengthening judicial infrastructure and supporting judicial independence, and thanking Ministers Wike and Mariya Mahmoud for oversight.
Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, gave the project overview. He said the FCTA awarded a contract for 40 judges’ quarters in Katampe, with the 10 commissioned residences designated for Appeal Court judges.
Dauda stated the goal was “to provide secured, functional and comfortable residential accommodation for judicial officers in order to enhance the delivery of justice, which is critical for the sustenance of law and order.”
Project features include 10 fully furnished 5-bedroom duplexes with boys’ quarters, generator house, neighbourhood shop, gatehouse, recreational ground, 150-capacity event centre, perimeter fencing, asphalt access routes, walkways, power and water reticulation.
Managing Director of Details-2-Dot, Architect Akor Adapoyi, the project contractor, described the residences as “worthy of the men and women who serve on one of Nigeria’s most consequential causes,” noting the Court of Appeal’s critical position in the justice system.
In a related event on Monday, June 15, 2026, President Tinubu commissioned the new state-of-the-art Court of Appeal, Abuja Division Building in Dakibiyu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima. He called the facility a bold statement of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The President said he gave a simple instruction after visiting the old cramped workspace: “Fix it. Today we have fixed it.” The new complex has two large and eight smaller courtrooms designed to expedite proceedings and reduce congestion in correctional centres.
Tinubu commended Wike and indigenous contractor Visible Construction Limited for delivering high-quality infrastructure on schedule, saying Nigerian firms have the capacity to compete globally.
Addressing the Justices, the President said: “My Lords, you serve this nation under immense pressure. The Abuja division carries a heavy docket. From election petitions to constitutional matters, the eyes of Nigeria are on you. This complex is not a favour. It is your right. And we will do more.”
Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, lauded the administration’s “unprecedented and transformational commitment” to the judiciary, including a historic over 300% upward review of judicial officers’ remuneration to restore dignity and independence.
Fagbemi said the new Court of Appeal complex and judges’ quarters testify to a shared vision for a modernized, well-resourced, and truly independent judicial system capable of meeting the demands of a modern democracy.
Justice Dongban-Mensem added that the new Abuja Division complex, equipped with 10 fully digitized courtrooms, will increase capacity by allowing simultaneous morning and afternoon sessions, improving handling of urgent matters like political cases.
Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, hailed the commissioning as a milestone, describing the edifice as “a sanctuary where fairness and truth will prevail.” She said it reflects collaborative federal-FCT efforts to build a robust, efficient judiciary for a modern democracy, while Engr. Dauda noted the Court had relocated after two years in a temporary makeshift office.
