Judges’ Welfare Is Institutional Necessity, Not Privilege – FCT Chief Judge

The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, has described the welfare of judicial officers as an institutional necessity rather than a privilege, stressing that adequate support for judges is essential to strengthening Nigeria’s justice system and democratic institutions.

Speaking on Wednesday during the inauguration of a newly completed 20-unit Judges’ Quarters in Abuja, Baba-Yusuf said the housing project, completed in less than two years, represents a strategic investment in the administration of justice.

According to him, providing decent accommodation for judges helps preserve their dignity, enhances productivity, strengthens personal security, and reinforces judicial independence.

“The welfare of judicial officers is not a privilege. It is an institutional necessity that promotes stability, enhances productivity, safeguards personal security and preserves the dignity that must accompany judicial office.”

The Chief Judge noted that judicial officers can only discharge their constitutional responsibilities with courage, independence, and impartiality when supported with adequate infrastructure and proper welfare.

“Judicial officers require adequate infrastructure and dignified welfare arrangements to perform their adjudicative responsibilities efficiently, courageously and with complete fidelity to the rule of law.”

Justice Baba-Yusuf praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for driving the vision that led to the successful completion of the project.

“What started as a vision, nurtured and driven by the relentless dedication of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has finally unfolded into something extraordinary.”

He also appealed to the FCT administration to extend similar housing projects to judges of the FCT Sharia Court of Appeal and the Customary Court of Appeal to ensure equitable welfare across all arms of the judiciary.

The 20-unit Judges’ Quarters is part of the ongoing judicial infrastructure projects being executed by the FCT Administration. Earlier this year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated a 10-unit Court of Appeal Judges’ Quarters in Katampe, as well as a new Court of Appeal complex in the Dakibiyu area of Abuja.