FALANA CRITICIZES WIKE FOR GIVING CARS, HOUSES TO JUDGES
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Femi Falana, SAN, a human rights attorney, argues Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory’s minister, is wrong to provide judges with cars and homes.
Wike said in October that 40 judges’ quarters would be designed and built in the Katampe District of Abuja, the country’s capital. This project has sparked debate, with many contending that it is immoral.
On Wednesday, Falana made the case on Channels Television’s Politics Today that it is improper for the executive branch to present presents to judges and other members of the court.
“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, no.
“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 gifts of cars, houses to judges in the federal high 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,” he said.
The senior attorney emphasized that judges have no business approaching the executive to purchase vehicles and homes, citing this as the rationale behind the constitutionalization of judicial autonomy.
He claims that the judiciary has been given financial autonomy by the Constitution, allowing it to control its own spending.
The human rights advocate also criticized Wike for demolishing private properties in the Federal Capital Territory, calling it illegal and archaic.
He said such demolitions are not authorised under the Urban and Regional Planning Act applicable in the FCT.
“In the FCT, if a house has breached the law, the case must first be taken to the Urban and Regional Planning Board.
“If the property owner loses, they can appeal to the Urban and Regional Tribunal. If that fails, the case may go to the High Court, where an order for demolition may be issued,” he added.
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