Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for presenting houses to judges.
In October, Wike launched the design and construction of 40 Judges’ Quarters in the Katampe District of Abuja, a move that has sparked controversy due to concerns over its ethical implications.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Falana stated that it is improper for the executive branch to offer gifts to members of the judiciary, particularly judges.
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“The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory operates like a state governor by virtue of the section 299 of the Constitution. So, he cannot say I am going to build 40 houses, 10 shall go to the federal high court, 10 shall go to judges in the FCT high court and 10 shall go to the court of appeal and supreme court, no,” Falana said.
“Because you are a minister of the Federal Government like a state governor your budget is limited to the affairs of the FCT. So, you cannot as the head of the FCT be dishing out gift of cars, houses to judges in the federal hight court, in the appeal court and the supreme court.
“Number two, you have cases before these courts, on the theory of equality before the court you cannot be seen to be giving cars or houses to the judges who are going to determine your cases.”
Falana explained that the autonomy of the judiciary was enshrined in the Constitution precisely to prevent such situations, arguing that judges should not be reliant on the executive for gifts like cars and houses.
He emphasized that the Constitution grants financial autonomy to the judiciary, allowing it to manage its own budget independently.
Additionally, Falana criticized Wike’s demolition of private properties in the Federal Capital Territory, calling it “primitive” and a violation of the law.
He pointed out that such demolitions are not permitted under the Urban and Regional Planning Act governing the FCT.
“In the FCT, if a house has breached the law, the case must first be taken to the Urban and Regional Planning Board. If the property owner loses, they can appeal to the Urban and Regional Tribunal. If that fails, the case may go to the High Court, where an order for demolition may be issued.”
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