The Design and Construction of 40 Judges’ Quarters in the Katampe District of the nation’s capital, Abuja, was flagged off by Wike in October. This project has caused controversy, with many believing that it is immoral.

Falana made the case that it is improper for the administration to present gifts to judges and other members of the judiciary in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

Falana asserts that it is the rationale behind the constitutionalization of judicial autonomy, emphasizing that judges have no right to approach the executive branch to purchase homes and vehicles.

He insisted that the judiciary was given financial sovereignty by the Constitution, allowing it to control its budget.

“Under section 299 of the Constitution, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory functions similarly to a state governor,” he stated. He cannot, therefore, declare that ten of the forty residences he plans to build will be sent to the federal high court, ten to the judges of the FCT high court, and ten to the court of appeals and the supreme court.

“Your budget is restricted to the FCT’s concerns since, like a state governor, you are a minister of the federal government. Therefore, you cannot provide judges in the federal high court, appellate court, and supreme court cars and houses as the president of the FCT.

“The second is that you have cases before these courts, and according to the equality before the court theory, you cannot be perceived as providing homes or cars to the judges who will decide your cases.”

Wike denies that constructing homes for judges in order to get political favors
Nyesom Wike, in the meantime, has denied claims that the building of mansions for Abuja judges is meant to sway them politically.

Wike stated in a media interview on Wednesday that the housing project is not his own idea but rather a component of a welfare package that President Bola Tinubu created to promote judicial independence.

Wike said that by carrying out a project that has already been approved, he is merely carrying out his duties.