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…says this development will make judges dispense their duties without fear or favour

President of National Industrial Court of Nigeria, NICN, Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip has hailed President Bola Tinubu for the initiative to construct residences for judges in the Federal Capital Territory FCT.

Kanyip disclosed this in his goodwill message at the ceremony of the Official Flag-off of the Design and Construction of Residences for Heads of Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He said: “The flag-off ceremony is not just a significant and commendable milestone, it is coming at no better time than now. More so given this Administration’s emphasis on improving judicial welfare and independence.

Read full message below:

” It is an honour to be asked to deliver a goodwill message at today’s event. And so with great joy, I join you all, on the invitation of His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesomn Wike, CON, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for the ceremony marking the flag-off of the design and
construction of residences for Heads of Court in the FCT.

” For this, I must thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR who approved the project, His Lordship, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, The Honourable, The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) for allowing it, and His Excellency, the Honourable Minister of the FCT (supported by The Honourable Dr Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, the Minister
of State for the FCT, his dedicated management and staff of the FCT) who conceptualised the project and is now seeing it to fruition.

” The flag-off ceremony is not just a significant and commendable milestone, it is coming at no better time than now. More so given this Administration’s emphasis on improving judicial welfare and independence.

“Providing safe, comfortable, and secure residences is crucial for the judiciary to function effectively without fear or external influence. Like other public servants, judicial officers perform better when their personal security and mental well-being are assured.

“This housing initiative expectedly will address these concerns, and enable the occupants to fully dedicate themselves to their judicial responsibilities. The project will thus contribute to a more focused and efficient judiciary.

“The project goes beyond rhetoric and is a practical demonstration of support for the judiciary, which reinforces public trust in the justice system. For us at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), we remember vividly the donation by His Excellency Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, when
he was Governor of Rivers State, of not just our Court’s building but also four residential houses for the four judges in Port Harcourt Division.

“This singular support to us has enabled the NICN to function effectively in Port Harcourt, contributing to a more focused, efficient, and impartial Court. The provision of residences for our four judges enabled them to fully dedicate themselves to their rigorous responsibilities of interpreting and applying the law, earning in the process public trust in the labour justice system.

” Last year, after the flag-off of the design and construction of 40 judges quarters in the Katampe District of Abuja, tongues wagged against the exercise amongst commentators even through there were also many who
defended it!.

“While this is not the appropriate forum to join issues in that regard, I only want to draw attention to AG, Abia State & ors v. AG of the Federation² (the Executive Order 10 case), where the Supreme Court, in considering section 5 of the 1999 Constitution, pointed out that “the extent of
the authority vested in both the president and the governor in relation to their respective areas of influence extend to the execution and maintenance of the…Constitution”; and then acknowledged that the independence of the judiciary as understood in common law countries is normally understood to imply the guarantee that the salary and emoluments of a High Court Judge may not be diminished in any form during his tenure of office.

” The Supreme Court would go on to remind us all that the 1999 Constitution keeps to this
tradition. Lest we forget, judicial housing is part of the emoluments of judicial officers.

“As I draw the curtains in this goodwill message, knowing Your Excellency’s reputation (Abuja is already turning a new face), I have no doubt whatsoever that this project will he of the hichest standard and will be completed in good time.

” Like the literary Oliver Twist, may I seize this opportunity to remind Your Excellency what you said at last year’s flag-off of the design and construction of 40 iudges quarters in the Katampe District of Abuja.

” Your Excellency informed us that “Mr President has also approved that by next year (i.e. this year), we should make sure that we also provide for the industrial court as part of the renewed hope agenda.”

” Accordingly, l pray
Your EXcellency to look to designing and constructing the said residences for judges of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).

“The future of the Nigerian judiciary looks bright indeed, and we at the NICN are ready to make
it even brighter as we contribute to a more focused and efficient court system.

“Accordingly, may I seize this opportunity to congratulate Your Excellency and your team on the commencement of this project.