President Bola Tinubu has called on appellate court judges across the country to uphold justice without fear or favour, urging them to ensure that court decisions are swift, fair and free from discrimination based on status, ethnicity or wealth.
The President made the call on Monday while commissioning the new Court of Appeal Abuja Division complex in Dakibiyu, Abuja. He was represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
According to Tinubu, a compromised judicial system poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy and national stability.
“To My Lords Justices, as you move into this complex, Nigeria asks one thing of you: let justice be swift. Let it be fair. Let it be blind to status, tribe, or purse. Let the common man feel that this Court is truly his last hope,” he said.
The President described the completion of the modern facility as part of his administration’s commitment to strengthening institutions and restoring confidence in the justice system under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He recalled that the Abuja Division had operated for years in an inadequate and congested environment and said he gave immediate approval for the project after seeing the condition of the old facility.
“When I visited and saw the condition, I gave a simple instruction: fix it. Today, we have fixed it,” he stated.
The newly completed complex contains two large courtrooms and eight smaller ones, a significant improvement from the two courtrooms previously available. Tinubu said the additional facilities would help speed up the hearing of cases, ease congestion in correctional centres and improve access to justice.
“This is how you honour the Judiciary. This is how you strengthen democracy,” he added.
The President stressed that the Renewed Hope Agenda goes beyond slogans and focuses on rebuilding institutions across sectors, including health, education, infrastructure and power.
He also acknowledged the heavy workload handled by the Abuja Division, especially election petitions and constitutional matters, saying judges deserved a work environment that reflected the importance of their responsibilities.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for delivering the project within the promised timeline, noting that contractors were mobilised shortly after approval was granted.
“You promised 16 months. You delivered in record time. No excuses. No variation. Just results,” the President said.
Tinubu also commended Wike for extending judicial infrastructure development to other courts in the Federal Capital Territory, including the Federal High Court, National Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, said the new complex would significantly improve the administration of justice, noting that the shortage of courtrooms had affected the speed of case disposal over the years.
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She expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for addressing the judiciary’s infrastructure needs, describing the project as crucial to the stability of Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking at the event, Wike said judicial independence could only be fully realised when judges are provided with suitable offices and decent residences.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), described the project as a fitting gift to the judiciary as it marks its 50th anniversary and coincides with the third year of the Tinubu administration.
He maintained that no recent administration had provided as much support to the judiciary as the current government.
Also speaking, Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Bunkure, said the new facility reflects the government’s determination to ensure an efficient and effective justice system for Nigerians.
