President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday declared that strong, independent institutions remain the foundation of any thriving democracy, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s justice system through sustained investment in critical legal infrastructure.
The President made the declaration during the commissioning of the newly completed Office Annex of the Body of Benchers in Abuja’s Institution and Research District, where he described the facility as a symbol of the Federal Government’s resolve to deepen the rule of law and promote institutional excellence.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu said the project reflected the core objectives of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises building resilient institutions capable of driving national development.
“It is with profound honour and a great sense of national purpose that I stand before you today to officially commission this state-of-the-art Office Annex for the Body of Benchers,” the President said.
“Today’s ceremony is not merely a celebration of a beautiful edifice crafted with architectural excellence. It is a resounding affirmation of our administration’s steadfast commitment to the rule of law, the independence of our institutions, and the dignity of the Nigerian legal profession.”
Tinubu stressed that democracy cannot survive without strong institutions equipped to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.
“When we took the oath of office, we promised Nigerians a Renewed Hope. We made it clear that democracy cannot thrive in a vacuum; it requires strong, resilient and well-equipped institutions to anchor it,” he stated.
Describing the Body of Benchers as one of Nigeria’s most strategic legal institutions, the President said its constitutional responsibility for regulating admission into the legal profession and enforcing professional discipline made it deserving of world-class infrastructure.
“The Body of Benchers stands at the very apex of this institutional framework. It is only fitting that an institution of such monumental national significance is housed in an edifice that reflects its prestige, responsibility and dignity,” he said.
Tinubu maintained that providing modern infrastructure for the judiciary should not be misconstrued as executive interference but rather as a constitutional obligation to support institutions responsible for interpreting and safeguarding the law.
“My administration will continue to play its part, ensuring that our judicial officers are well-housed, well-remunerated and provided with the tools to dispense justice without fear or favour,” he added.
The President also disclosed that the Federal Capital Territory Administration had approved the construction of two 300-bed hostels for the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, completed the access road linking the Body of Benchers Secretariat to Nile University, and commenced work on a new fire service station to serve the district.
Tinubu reserved special praise for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, commending him for what he described as remarkable infrastructural transformation across Abuja.
“When I appointed Wike, I gave him a clear mandate to transform Abuja into a modern, functional and world-class capital city. Over the last three years, the scale of infrastructural development, urban renewal and project delivery in the FCT has been unmatched,” he said.
He cited the Court of Appeal Complex, Judges’ Quarters, the Outer Southern Expressway and several other landmark projects as evidence of the administration’s commitment to transforming the nation’s capital.
“The timely completion and handover of this Body of Benchers Annex is yet another feather in that cap of accelerated governance. It shows that when leadership is focused, things get done, and they get done right,” the President added.
Earlier, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike attributed the successful delivery of the project to President Tinubu’s prompt approval and release of funds.
According to him, the initiative began after the immediate past Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo (SAN), requested additional office accommodation despite the annual budget having already been passed.
“Luckily, he prayed very well and Mr. President said, ‘Put it in the supplementary budget.’ That was approved by the National Assembly, and today we are here commissioning the project,” Wike said.
The minister disclosed that another request by the Body of Benchers to address traffic congestion around its premises had already been fulfilled through the construction of a new access road, which is scheduled for commissioning by the Vice President.
He assured the legal body of the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s continued support for initiatives aimed at strengthening the justice sector and improving institutional capacity.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Olorogun Albert Akpomudje (SAN), described the annex as a major milestone that would enhance legal education, professional discipline and the administration of justice in Nigeria.
He called for sustained collaboration between government and development partners to preserve public infrastructure and improve access to justice across the country.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as a landmark investment in Nigeria’s legal profession.
She said the facility would serve as a hub for mentorship, ethical leadership, professional excellence and institutional service while strengthening the Body of Benchers’ role in safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system.
