…AS FCT MINISTER HANDS OVER C of O TO APPEAL COURT PRESIDENT

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukoyade Ariwoola has conveyed the gratitude of the judiciary to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike over their support for the Nigerian judiciary

Justice Ariwoola made the expression during the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the court complex Abuja division of the Court of Appeal held at the site of the proposed building in Dakibiyu, Jabi District, Abuja on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.

The CJN described the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the five-storey complex as epoch making, saying that the facility will greatly enhance the functions of the courts, even as he reaffirmed the commitment of the judiciary to upholding the rule of law.  

In his remarks,  the FCT Minister, emphasized the commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to creating the enabling environment for the judiciary to effectively discharge its function, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Minister recalled that the President did not hesitate to give his approval for the construction of the court Complex when he presented the request, at a session of the Federal Executive Council  adding that the President also insisted that all the relevant arms of government must be treated equally.

According to the Minister, “Mr. President said, why do you need to wait. Afterall, it is the FCT that rehabilitated the National Assembly Phase 1; it is FCT that rehabilitated the National Assembly Phase 2, which is an arm of government. So, why are we not going to do it for this arm of government…The three arms of government must be treated equally and he gave that approval”.

Barrister Wike also disclosed that the construction of the Appeal Court Complex will cost N37 billion and assured that adequate budgetary provision has been made for the project.

The Minister stressed that he will personally monitor the execution of the project to ensure its timely completion next year adding that the project would be available for use to celebrate the 2025 legal year.

Barrister Wike therefore charged the contractor to ensure that the project is completed within schedule, saying, “You have collected the first set of money. I don’t want to hear it has been raining. You collected the money when it was raining, so you must also do the job while it is raining”.

The FCT Minister while also acknowledging the important function of the judiciary and the need to provide judicial officers with comfortable accommodation where they can effectively discharge their duties, further disclosed that President Tinubu has also given approval for the construction of 40 houses for the Justices of the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court and the FCT High Courts.

The Minister added that the President has also approved that the heads of courts, including the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the Chief Judge of the FCT, the President of the National Industrial Court and the President of the Court of Appeal must have their retirement homes.

He said, “I want to assure you,  by the grace of God, the foundation of these homes will be laid this August and before September next year, you will all have your keys to your houses. 

He said approval has also been given by the President for the provision of more court rooms for the Magistrates, particularly in Maitama, Asokoro and Garki Districts of the FCT based on the request made by the Chief Judge of the FCT and assured that the projects would be completed by the next legal year.

President of the Court of Appeal, Hon Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem thanked the FCT Minister for fulfilling his promises, stating that the appeal court complex will ensure a conducive environment for the dispensation of justice in the country.

A high point of the event was the handing over of the plot’s Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) by the FCT Minister to the President of the Court of Appeal.

In his remarks, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi emphasized the vital role of the judiciary in the  society and that the complex will serve as a beacon of hope and provide a conducive environment for the delivery of justice.  

President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau in his goodwill message also thanked President Tinubu and the FCT Minister for initiating the project, 48 years after the creation of the FCT.

Giving an overview of the complex, the Executive Secretary FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad said the complex will feature administrative offices, file rooms and conveniences and will provide an environment for effective discharge of justice in line will the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President.

He assured that the FCDA will supervise the project to ensure world class engineering standard and urged the contractor to deliver high quality work within the agreed schedule.