By: Abba Onyekachukwu, Abuja.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has flagged off the construction of a new Magistrates Court complex in Jabi District, Abuja. The project is part of the FCT Administration’s renewed commitment to enhancing the justice sector and ensuring the swift dispensation of justice, aligning with the President’s vision for the judiciary, according to a press release from Rabi Musa Umar the Assistant Director Press Office of the Minister on Tuesday.
During the flag-off ceremony, Minister Wike emphasized the importance of providing an enabling environment for the judiciary to function effectively. He described the current challenges faced by judicial officers, including inadequate office spaces and poor living conditions, as “embarrassing.” The Minister noted that the President has always believed that quick dispensation of justice requires a conducive working environment for judges and magistrates.
Minister Wike reiterated the FCT Administration’s commitment to addressing the housing deficit for judicial officers. He announced that 20 units of four-bedroom duplexes are currently under construction and will be handed over to the FCT High Court in October this year. Another 30 duplexes will also be provided for them by June next year, aiming to solve 80% of their accommodation problems.
The Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, provided an overview of the proposed Magistrate Court in Jabi District. The project involves the construction and furnishing of a four-storey building with six magistrate chambers, a library, office accommodation, and other facilities. The construction phase is expected to create employment opportunities for FCT residents and modernize the working conditions of judicial officials.
The Chief Judge of the FCT Federal High Court, Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf, expressed profound gratitude for the Minister’s unprecedented interventions and support for the judiciary. He highlighted several projects initiated under the Minister’s leadership, including the construction of Magistrate Court complexes and residential housing units for judges.