Tinubu opens Appeal Court complex, hails Wike’s delivery
By Ben Adoga, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Monday commissioned the newly constructed Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal in the Daki Biyu District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He described the project as a major investment in judicial reform and a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions.
Represented at the ceremony by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President said the completion of the modern judicial complex reflects the government’s determination to provide a conducive environment for the administration of justice and improve the efficiency of the nation’s judicial system.
The commissioning ceremony brought together senior judicial officers, members of the Federal Executive Council, legal practitioners and other stakeholders in the justice sector.
Tinubu said the new complex was more than a physical structure, noting that it symbolised the government’s resolve to strengthen the rule of law and restore public confidence in critical national institutions.
The President recalled that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal had for years operated from an inadequate and temporary facility, a situation he described as inconsistent with the status and responsibilities of one of the country’s most important judicial institutions.
“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.”
He said the completion of the project aligns with the broader objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly efforts aimed at improving governance, strengthening judicial independence and enhancing access to justice.
According to the President, the facility is equipped with two large courtrooms and eight smaller ones, a development expected to accelerate case hearings, reduce judicial delays, and help decongest correctional centres across the country.
He noted that a stronger judiciary remains essential to preserving democracy, protecting citizens’ rights and sustaining national stability.
Tinubu also used the occasion to commend the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the speed and quality of project delivery, describing him as one of the administration’s most result-oriented public officials.
The President recalled that approval for the project was granted in May 2024 and that construction commenced shortly afterwards, with the facility delivered within the projected timeframe.
“You promised 16 months. You delivered in record time. No excuses. No variation. Just results. Nigerians can see the difference.”
Beyond the Court of Appeal complex, Tinubu praised the FCT Administration for extending infrastructure development to the judiciary, a sector he said had suffered years of neglect despite its strategic role in governance.
He noted that the administration is not only constructing court facilities but also providing residential accommodation for judicial officers, digitising judicial processes and supporting legal education within the territory.
The President said the intervention is part of a broader effort to restore the dignity of public institutions through sustained investments in infrastructure and institutional capacity.
Earlier, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike said the decision to construct the Court of Appeal complex was prompted by concerns about the poor condition of the facility that previously housed the court.
According to him, President Tinubu immediately approved the intervention after being briefed on the state of judicial infrastructure in the territory and further directed that accommodation be provided for judges and justices.
Wike disclosed that similar projects for the Federal High Court, the FCT High Court, the National Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal are either completed or nearing completion.
He said the administration recognised that the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary cannot be achieved without providing a suitable working environment for judicial officers.
“You can’t talk about the independence of the judiciary when the judiciary does not have a fitting environment where they can carry out their functions.”
The Minister added that the provision of modern court facilities and residential accommodation would enhance the welfare of judicial officers and improve the quality of justice delivery.
He also commended the contractors for completing the project within schedule, noting that the FCT Administration maintained strict supervision to ensure timely execution.
In his remarks, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), described the project as a landmark intervention in the justice sector and evidence of the administration’s commitment to judicial reforms.
Fagbemi said the Tinubu administration has provided unprecedented support for the judiciary through investments in infrastructure, welfare and institutional strengthening.
He highlighted the recent upward review of judicial officers’ remuneration, which he said increased welfare packages by more than 300 per cent, as one of the administration’s major reforms.
The Attorney-General maintained that strengthening the judiciary remains critical to economic growth, democratic governance and national development.
President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, also praised the intervention, noting that the physical environment in which justice is administered directly impacts efficiency, productivity, and public confidence in the judicial process.
She said modern facilities are essential for ensuring speedy dispensation of justice and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the courts.
The commissioning of the Court of Appeal complex marks another milestone in the FCT Administration’s ongoing infrastructure drive and underscores the Federal Government’s renewed focus on judicial reforms as part of efforts to strengthen governance and deepen democratic institutions.
