A human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has condemned the purchase of houses and vehicles for judges by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
In October, Mr Wike had flagged off the design and construction of 40 judges’ quarters in the Katampe District, Abuja.
The project, however, generated controversy, with many arguing that it undermines judicial autonomy.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television Wednesday, Mr Falana echoed the same sentiments.
The rights activists maintained that the judicial arm has autonomy, which gives it authority to manage its own budget.
“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,” Mr Falana said.
“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 gift of cars, houses to judges in the federal hight 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.”
