According to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, the judiciary’s function is essential to Nigerian democracy’s continued existence.
Wike stated as much on Thursday during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja by a group of judges from the Federal High Court, headed by Justice John Terhemba Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
According to the minister, the judiciary is one of the three branches of government and should not be treated any differently from the other because it is an autonomous branch that is vital to democracy.
He gave his word that the FCT Administration will keep giving the required assistance to improve the court’s functioning in the region.
“Just yesterday, I went to the National Assembly to defend the supplementary budget and there we included the building of the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal,” he said.
On the request for land allocation to Federal High Court judges, the minister assured that land would be allocated to them by the FCT Administration, but noted that it would be done in phases.
He also pledged to provide infrastructure in areas where allocations had been made by his predecessors to encourage development.
“If there are other problems that you think the administration can help with, do not hesitate to let us solve them,” Wike added.
Earlier, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice Tsoho, commended Barrister Wike for his selfless service to the people of Rivers State and for his support of the judiciary as his primary constituency.
Tsoho, however, lamented that the frequent postings and transfers of Federal High Court Judges, due to the peculiar nature of their jobs, meant that they were denied various forms of policies that enhance the welfare of judges and justices, both serving and retired, since they are not likely to be posted to their states of origin.
He appealed to the FCT Minister to allocate land in the FCT to serving Federal High Court judges as a form of recognition for their services nationwide, which he said makes them federal citizens.
Also in attendance were justices G. K. Olotu, B.F.N. Nyako, I.E. Ekwo, D.U. Okorowo and senior officials of the FCTA.