Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has criticised the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, for gifting houses and cars to judges, calling the action inappropriate.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Falana raised ethical and legal concerns about Wike’s decision to provide such assets to members of the judiciary, arguing that it undermines judicial independence and oversteps constitutional boundaries.
The controversy began after Wike inaugurated the construction of 40 judges’ quarters in Abuja’s Katampe District in October, prompting widespread public debate.
Addressing the ethical implications, Falana argued that it is inappropriate for the executive branch to bestow gifts on the judiciary, particularly given the potential conflicts of interest that could arise.
He noted that as FCT Minister, Wike holds a role similar to that of a state governor but is limited to overseeing the FCT’s affairs.
According to Falana, such actions risk compromising judicial impartiality, especially if the judiciary may later be called upon to adjudicate issues involving the minister or his office.
Falana emphasised that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees financial autonomy for the judiciary, granting it control over its budget to minimise executive influence. This autonomy, he explained, is intended to secure an independent judiciary, free from any influence that could undermine its duty to uphold justice.
He said, “The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory operates like a state governor by virtue of section 299 of the Constitution. So, he cannot say I am going to build 40 houses, 10 shall go to the federal high court, 10 shall go to judges in the FCT high court and 10 shall go to the court of Appeal and Supreme Court, no.
“Because you are a minister of the Federal Government like a state governor, your budget is limited to the affairs of the FCT. So, you cannot as the head of the FCT, be dishing out gifts of cars, houses to judges in the federal high court, in the appeal court and the supreme court.
“Number two, you have cases before these courts, on the theory of equality before the court you cannot be seen to be giving cars or houses to the judges who are going to determine your cases.”
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