By Olawumi Oyehan
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday, commended the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, for all his great accomplishments in Abuja, calling him ‘Mr. Fix it’.
Tinubu, who stated this at the commissioning of FCT Court of Appeal office complex, Abuja, said that he turned to Wike when he saw the condition of the FCT Court of Appeal office, cramped temporary state, and told him to fix it.
”My lords, for too long, the Abuja Division of this Court operated from a cramped, temporary space. That was unacceptable. A nation that seeks justice must respect the temple of justice. When I visited and saw the condition, I gave a simple instruction: fix it. Today, we have fixed it,” Tinubu said.
He said the judiciary sector in Nigeria deserves to have an environment that suits the weight of their responsibilities, adding that complex is not a favour but a right.
Tinubu, therefore, assured the judiciary that his administration had concluded the arrangement to do more for them.
”My lords, you serve this nation under immense pressure. The Abuja Division carries a heavy docket. From election petitions to constitutional matters, the eyes of Nigeria are on you. You deserve an environment that matches the weight of your responsibility. This complex is not a favour. It is your right. And we will do more,” Tinubu, who was represented at the occasion by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, said.
He noted that the complex is not just a building but assurance that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the rule of law will have a befitting home.
”My lords, for too long, the Abuja Division of this Court operated from a cramped, temporary space. That was unacceptable. A nation that seeks justice must respect the temple of justice. When I visited and saw the condition, I gave a simple instruction: fix it. Today, we have fixed it,” he said.
Tinubu, therefore, commended Wike, the Minister of State for FCT, Mariya Mamood, the contractor, and all the people involved in making it a reality.
He stated that the complex is world-class.
”With two large and eight smaller courtrooms, legal cases will now receive speedy attention. This will go a long way to ensure that there is justice for all, uphold the rule of law, maintain law and order in the Federal Capital Territory, and reduce congestion in our correctional centres. This is how you honour the Judiciary. This is how you strengthen democracy,” he said.
”There is no way you can guarantee the independence of the judiciary if they don’t have a conducive environment, hence the reason for the office complex.
”The independence of the judiciary and it is the belief of Mr. President, you can’t talk about the independence of the judiciary when the judiciary does not have a befitting environment where they can carry out their functions.
”How do you talk about independence when somebody cannot comfortably carry out his or her duties, when somebody does not have a befitting room to stay and do their work? And so, if you want to talk about the independence of the judiciary, you must, apart from the monuments that are attached to them, provide a befitting environment where they are going to work and give them a comfortable area where they will stay and do their work in terms of their houses,” Wike said in his address.
Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, i
In his speech, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, commended Tinubu for the complex, adding that no administration has done what this administration has done so far.
”Indeed, no administration in Nigeria’s recent history has provided the level of support to the judiciary that we have witnessed under the leadership of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu GCFR.
”This support has been comprehensive, deliberate, and transformational, covering judicial welfare, infrastructure, institutional capacity, and judicial manpower,” he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mahmoud described the inauguration of the newly constructed Court of Appeal Building (Abuja Division) as a significant milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and enhancing access to justice.
Mahmoud stated that the edifice represents more than a physical structure, noting that it symbolises the nation’s unwavering commitment to the rule of law, fairness, and judicial excellence.
She, therefore, commended Tinubu for his visionary leadership and the Renewed Hope Agenda, which she said continues to translate bold ideas into transformative projects that reinforce public institutions and promote national development.
She also paid glowing tribute to Wike for his determination and commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure across the nation’s capital, describing the new Court of Appeal complex as another landmark that reflects Abuja’s status as a modern capital city.
Mahmoud expressed optimism that the new judicial complex would remain a sanctuary where fairness triumphs over favour, truth prevails over falsehood, and justice is dispensed without delay, reinforcing public confidence in the nation’s judicial system.