Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed satisfaction with the pace of construction of new Magistrate Court buildings across Abuja, announcing that the projects are expected to be delivered by the end of June 2026.
Wike gave the assurance on Thursday during an inspection tour of three major court construction sites in Asokoro, Jabi and Garki, describing the developments as key “presidential interventions” designed to strengthen the judiciary’s capacity to dispense justice effectively.
Tackling Terrain Challenges in Asokoro
At the Asokoro site, the Minister acknowledged the technical challenges posed by the area’s difficult terrain but maintained confidence in the contractors’ ability to deliver.
“I’ve seen the level of work, even though the topography is very bad. It’s a problem, but we’ll overcome it,” Wike said.
Progress Recorded in Jabi, Garki
From Asokoro, the Minister proceeded to Jabi, where the foundation for a new Magistrates’ Court complex was laid in late 2025.
The inspection tour ended in Garki, where Wike commended the speed and quality of construction work.
“You can see how far this has gone. I’m very pleased with the quality of the job,” he remarked.
Housing for Judges, More Courtrooms
Beyond the Magistrate Courts, the ongoing intervention includes the construction of 40 residential housing units for judges serving at the FCT High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court.
According to Wike, the initiative—directed by President Bola Tinubu—is aimed at providing “definitive accommodation” and additional courtrooms to enhance the welfare, efficiency and productivity of the judiciary.
Responding to concerns that such projects could affect judicial independence, the Minister dismissed the criticism, insisting that supporting the judiciary does not amount to interference.
“Judicial arm of government is very critical in ensuring prompt administration of justice. There’s no particular reason we must pay attention to one sector and leave other critical sectors unattended to,” he said.
Broader FCT Infrastructure Push
Wike noted that the judicial infrastructure upgrades form part of a wider development drive in the FCT, including ongoing road construction, school rehabilitation and improvements in the health sector.
He added that major road networks linking the Airport Expressway to Kuje and Gwagwalada have reached advanced stages and are also expected to be completed by June 2026.
With the inspection tour concluded, the Minister expressed optimism that the delivery timeline would be met, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to strengthening institutions and accelerating infrastructure growth across the Federal Capital Territory.
