…REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO JUDICIAL REFORM
In a major boost to the nation’s justice sector, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially commissioned the new state-of-the-art Court of Appeal, Abuja Division Building in Dakibiyu.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on Monday, June 15, 2026 at the court premises, President Tinubu who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, described the facility as a bold statement of his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda towards providing a befitting home for the rule of law.
The President noted that the new complex was birthed from his directive to replace the previously cramped, inadequate workspaces that hindered judicial efficiency, adding that the world class facility, featuring two large and eight smaller courtrooms, is designed to expedite legal proceedings and reduce congestion in correctional centres.
“When I visited and saw the condition, I gave a simple instruction: fix it. Today we have fixed it”, he stated.
He commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his exceptional delivery of the project in record time, and lauded the indigenous contractor, Visible Construction Limited, for also demonstrating that Nigerian firms possess the capacity to deliver high-quality infrastructure on schedule.Addressing the justices, the President stated that the complex was their right and not a favour and urged them to ensure that justice remains swift, fair, and blind to status.
He said, “My Lords you serve this nation under immense pressure. The Abuja division carries a heavy docket. From election petitions to constitutional matters, the eyes of Nigeria are on you. 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”.
President Tinubu also emphasized that his administration is committed to rebuilding Nigeria brick by brick, adding that the project will serve as a centerpiece in his broader mission to restructure the judiciary and strengthen democratic institutions through improved infrastructure and increased funding.
Earlier in his remarks, the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike stressed that the provision of a comfortable, modern environment for judges was essential for the protection of the independence and integrity of the judiciary.
The Minister disclosed that he frequently visited the construction site to ensure the job was completed on schedule and in accordance with agreed standard, adding that the FCTA also constructed the access road to the court building which, he said, has encouraged construction works in hitherto undeveloped plots around the area.
Emphasizing the necessity of sustained funding for such urban renewal, the Minister urged residents to pay their ground rents, stressing, “You cannot have development when there is no fund. All of us are clapping…but have you asked yourself, have you played your own role as expected of good citizens? So, it is not enough to clap… If you know you have not paid your ground rent, consider that the land no longer belongs to you. We will give it to those who can pay us ground rent".
Also speaking at the event, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for demonstrating an unprecedented and transformational commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s judiciary. He particularly noted the historic, industry-wide upward review of judicial officers' remuneration by over 300%, which he described as a decisive effort to restore the dignity and independence of the judiciary as a co-equal arm of government.
The President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, on her part expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for the delivery of the state-of-the-art Court of Appeal Abuja Division complex.
She emphasized that providing an enabling environment was critical to the judiciary’s functionality, noting that the new facility, equipped with 10 modern, fully digitized courtrooms. will drastically increase the court’s capacity to handle urgent matters such as political cases with unprecedented speed.
In an overview of the project, Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Engr Richard Yunana Dauda, revealed that the project was designed as a cascading building of 5-storey and 3-storey with a connecting walkway, 2 big court rooms, 8 small court rooms, 10 justice suites, 3 conference halls, a library, administrative offices and other essential external works. Engr Dauda stated that the completion of the project would facilitate the operations of the Court and hoped that it will in turn "translate into better justice delivery for the entire Nation.
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