Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, believes it’s inappropriate for Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike to provide houses and cars as gifts to judges.

In October, Wike launched a project to build 40 quarters for judges in Abuja’s Katampe District, sparking controversy, with some people considering it unethical.

On Channels Television’s Politics Today, Falana argued that it’s wrong for the executive branch to give gifts, especially to judges.

“The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory acts like a state governor because of section 299 of the Constitution,” he explained.

He added, “So, he cannot decide to build 40 houses and assign them to different levels of courts. Because as a minister, similar to a state governor, his budget should be limited to FCT affairs.”

Falana noted that Wike, as head of the FCT, should not be gifting cars or houses to judges at the federal, appeal, or supreme courts.

Falana explained that judges shouldn’t receive gifts from the executive branch because it can impact judicial independence. He emphasized that judges should not rely on the executive for cars and housing since they have financial autonomy.

He also criticized Wike for demolishing private properties in the FCT, calling it a primitive approach and a violation of the law.

Falana argued that property demolitions in the FCT must follow legal procedures under the Urban and Regional Planning Act.

“If a property breaks the law in the FCT, it should first go to the Urban and Regional Planning Board,” he explained. He added that if the property owner loses, they can appeal to a tribunal and then, if necessary, go to the High Court, which can authorize a demolition.