By Ismail Azeez
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged judges of the Court of Appeal to uphold the integrity of the judiciary by ensuring justice is delivered swiftly, fairly and without bias.
The President gave the charge on Monday in Abuja while commissioning the new Court of Appeal, Abuja Division building complex in Dakibiyu, where he stressed that Nigerians were watching the judiciary and expecting it to remain the cornerstone of democracy.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu said judicial officers deserved a befitting working environment that reflected the weight of their responsibilities, particularly in handling sensitive matters such as election petitions and constitutional issues.
“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,” the President told the judges.
He charged the judiciary to ensure that justice remained accessible to all Nigerians, irrespective of social status, ethnicity or financial capacity.
“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,” Tinubu said.
The President described the newly commissioned facility as a major step in his administration’s efforts to strengthen judicial reforms and restore the dignity of national institutions under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for completing the project within the promised timeline, noting that the development demonstrated the impact of translating government policies into concrete actions.
Tinubu said the new complex, which houses modern courtrooms and improved facilities, would contribute to faster adjudication of cases, reduce congestion in correctional centres and promote the rule of law.
Earlier, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, said that the impact of the complex on the administration of justice cannot be overemphasized.
She noted that before the court complex was built, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal was operating with only two courtrooms, adding that the lack of infrastructure had slowed the speedy delivery of justice over the years.
She commended President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, and the FCT Minister for recognizing the need to improve the justice sector as one of the institutions that guarantees stability and democracy.
In his welcome address, FCT Minister, Wike, said he had informed President Tinubu of the need to intervene in the deplorable state of the court, and the President approved the provision of a befitting complex for the Court of Appeal, as well as residences for judges.
He disclosed that the President also ordered interventions not only in the Court of Appeal but also in the National Industrial Court, the Federal High Court, and the Code of Conduct Tribunal in the FCT.
He explained that the independence of the judiciary is difficult to achieve when judges do not have a befitting work environment and adequate residences.
For his part, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said while the new court building represents a 50th-anniversary gift to the judiciary, it also coincided with the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration.
According to him, no administration in Nigeria’s recent history has provided the level of support that President Tinubu has approved for the judiciary.
The Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, described the project as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that the justice sector serves Nigerians efficiently and effectively.