The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, has conveyed the gratitude of the judiciary to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, for their support to the Nigerian judiciary. .
Justice Ariwoola stated this during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new Court of Appeal complex in Abuja division, held at the proposed site in Dakibiyu, Jabi District, Abuja. The CJN described the five-storey complex as a significant development that will significantly enhance the functions of the courts and reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
In his remarks, the FCT Minister highlighted the commitment of President Tinubu’s administration to creating an enabling environment for the judiciary to effectively discharge its functions, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda. The Minister highlighted that the President quickly approved the construction of the judicial complex when the request was presented at a session of the Federal Executive Council, emphasizing the importance of treating all branches of the State equally.
According to the Minister, “Mr. President said, why do we have to wait? After all, it was the FCT that rehabilitated Phase 1 of the National Assembly; It was the FCT that rehabilitated Phase 2 of the National Assembly, which is an arm of the government. So why don’t we do it through this branch of government? The three branches of government must be treated equally and he gave that approval.”
Barr. Wike revealed that the construction of the Court of Appeal Complex will cost N37 billion and assured that adequate budgetary provisions have been made for the project. He highlighted his personal commitment to monitoring the project to ensure its timely completion by next year, aiming for its availability by the 2025 legal year.
The Minister demanded that the contractor complete the project on time and stated: “he has raised the first batch of money. I don’t want to hear that it’s raining. “You collected the money when it was raining, so you should also do the work while it was raining.”
Acknowledging the vital role of the judiciary, the Minister also revealed that President Tinubu approved the construction of 40 houses for the Justices of the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court and the FCT High Courts. Additionally, heads of courts, including the Supreme Court judge, the FCT judge, the president of the National Labor Court and the president of the Court of Appeal, will have their retirement homes.
He assured: “By the grace of God, the foundations of these houses will be laid this August and before September next year, all of you will have the keys to your houses.”
Furthermore, the President approved the establishment of more trial courts in the Maitama, Asokoro and Garki districts of the FCT, at the request of the Chief Judge of the FCT. The Minister assured that these projects would be completed by the next legal year.
The President of the Court of Appeal, His Excellency. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem thanked the FCT Minister for fulfilling her promises and stated that the new complex will ensure a conducive environment for the administration of justice in the country.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of the Certificate of Occupation of the land (C of O) by the Minister of FCT to the President of the Court of Appeal.
In his remarks, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, highlighted the vital role of the judiciary in the society, noting that the complex will serve as a beacon of hope and provide an enabling environment for the delivery of justice.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau, in his goodwill message, also thanked President Tinubu and the Minister of the FCT for initiating the project, 48 years after the creation of the FCT.
Giving an overview of the complex, the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Eng. Shehu Hadi Ahmad noted that the complex will have administrative offices, file rooms and amenities, providing a conducive environment for the effective exercise of justice, in line with the President’s Agenda for Renewed Hope. He assured that the FCDA will supervise the project to ensure world-class engineering standards and urged the contractor to deliver high-quality work within the agreed schedule.
