President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s judiciary, declaring that the rule of law must operate from a “befitting home” supported by modern infrastructure, improved welfare, and sustained institutional reforms.
The President made the declaration while commissioning the new Court of Appeal Abuja Division Complex in Dakibiyu, Abuja, a project he described as a major milestone under the Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at restoring dignity to the justice system.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu said the facility symbolises a renewed commitment to democracy and judicial efficiency.
“This is not just a building. This is a statement. A statement that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the rule of law will have a befitting home,” the President said.
He recalled that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal had operated for years from a temporary and inadequate facility, describing the situation as unacceptable for such a critical arm of government.
“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 stated.
The President also praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, for delivering the project within record time, describing him as “Mr. Project.”
“When I appointed you as Minister of the FCT, I knew you would not sleep. You promised 16 months. You delivered in record time. No excuses. No variation. Just results. Nigerians can see the difference,” Tinubu said.
According to him, the new complex—featuring multiple courtrooms, judges’ suites, conference halls, a library, and administrative offices—will ease congestion, speed up justice delivery, and strengthen democratic governance.
“This is how you honour the judiciary. This is how you strengthen democracy,” he added.
Tinubu further stressed that the project aligns with broader reforms in the justice sector, including improved funding, digitisation of processes, and enhanced welfare for judicial officers.
“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,” he assured judges and justices.
He urged judicial officers to remain impartial and committed to fairness in the discharge of their duties.
“Let justice be swift. Let it be fair. Let it be blind to status, tribe or purse. Let the common man feel that this court is truly his last hope,” he said.
Earlier, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), described the commissioning as a landmark moment in the evolution of Nigeria’s judiciary, noting that it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Court of Appeal.
“This is not merely the unveiling of a significant judicial edifice. It is a powerful statement of this administration’s unwavering commitment to the rule of law, judicial independence and the strengthening of institutions that safeguard our constitutional democracy,” he said.
Fagbemi also disclosed that the administration had implemented a historic upward review of judicial officers’ remuneration by over 300 percent.
“This was the first major upward review in decades and represented a bold response to long-standing concerns regarding the welfare and dignity of judicial officers,” he stated.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who initiated the project, said it was conceived after concerns were raised over the poor state of judicial infrastructure in the capital.
“When I informed Mr. President of the condition of the Court of Appeal, he immediately directed that we should not only provide a befitting complex but also decent accommodation for judges and justices,” Wike said.
He added that the FCT Administration is also delivering housing projects for judicial officers across various courts.
“Tomorrow, we are going to hand over the residences for the Court of Appeal judges, on Wednesday, we will hand over those of the Federal High Court judges, and on July 17, we will hand over those for the FCT High Court. We are also flagging off housing projects for the Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal,” he announced.
Wike maintained that judicial independence must be supported by adequate infrastructure.
“You cannot talk about the independence of the judiciary when the judiciary does not have a befitting environment where they can carry out their functions,” he said.
President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, described the project as transformative, saying it would significantly improve the administration of justice.
“The impact of the newly constructed court complex on the administration of justice cannot be overstated. The physical environment in which justice is delivered is a decisive factor that affects the quality, speed and public confidence in judicial outcomes,” she said.
She noted that the Abuja Division had long operated under severe infrastructural constraints despite its heavy caseload.
“The lack of infrastructure has continuously slowed down the timely administration of justice,” she said.
Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed gratitude to sister courts that had accommodated the division over the years, noting that the new complex would end such arrangements.
The commissioning formed part of activities marking the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration and the golden jubilee of the Court of Appeal, underscoring what officials described as a renewed push for judicial reform and institutional strengthening.
