The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has alleged that while he was governor of Rivers state, some people questioned him for providing houses for Judges. He however argued that his response was that it was necessary to prevent adjournments due to poor court conditions, which would ultimately affect the people.
He explained why the FCT is interested in the adminstration of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal. He stated that many people ask why the FCT is involved in these courts, but they forget that these courts serve the people of Abuja, including residents and business owners. He emphasized that the FCT must contribute to ensuring that the justice system works efficiently by providing suitable facilities for the judiciary.
He said in a live coverage with TVC from 5:26, ‘So many people will be asking questions, why is the FCT interested in the Federal High Court? Why is the FCT interested in the Court of Appeal? But they forget to whom these courts are serving. They are serving the people of Abuja, and they are serving those who are doing business here. They are serving those who are residents in Abuja. When I was a governor, some people will say why am I providing houses for Judges of the Court of Appeal?
They will ask me, why are you providing houses for the State High Court? And I said, if today the building in the High Court has leakages and it’s raining, how would people be able to stay inside the court? Like in those days at the Court of Appeal, you see plastic chairs. And even some of the judges will not even sit; they will have to adjourn the matters. So who will be suffering? Is it not the people of the state? And so we thought, no, we must make our own contribution so that our people will not suffer in terms of administration of justice.'”