Wike counters Falana: Nothing wrong building houses for judges

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says there was nothing wrong with the Federal Government providing accommodations for judges as well as officials of other arms of government.

Wike said this in reaction to the condemnation by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), over the construction of houses for judges by the FCT Ministry.

Falana had described the development as unconstitutional and an embarrassment to the judiciary, adding that such action was capable of influencing judges.

It would be recalled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC), in September 2024, approved the construction of 40 housing units for judges and justices in Abuja.

Of the 40 units being constructed in the Katampe District, 20 will be allocated to the FCT High Court, 10 to the Federal High Court, and 10 to the Court of Appeal.

Reacting to the condemnation via a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, on Friday, November 15, Wike said that even though there is separation of powers in a democracy, there is also checks and balances, which means that there can be no absolute separation of powers among the three arms of government.

Olayinka, who said Falana was wrong, added that there is nowhere in the world where one arm of government is completely independent of the others.

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Olayinka said: “Police and other security agencies provide security for judges and they do have court cases too; is Uncle Femi Falana also saying that the security agencies will influence the judges?

“Anti-Corruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) investigate and prosecute judges, will Oga Femi Falana also say that investigation and trial of judges for alleged corruption should not be done by the anti-graft agencies so as to avoid influencing the judiciary?

“Maybe too, judges should create their own hospitals so that doctors, especially those in public hospitals won’t influence them. After all, medical practitioners too do have cases in court.

“Finally, maybe judges should stop having friends and family members. They should be operating in seclusion so that no one will influence them. Or they should just create their own world so that they won’t be influenced by anyone.”

Olayinka further urged Falana “to be more concerned about making the judges comfortable and secured to do their jobs rather than dissipating energy on the executive arm of government doing its own duties.”

“Even in the United States of America where Supreme Court justices are seen as affiliated to political parties, right things are still done by the justices,” he added.

The Star