By 9jaeye 
Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has voiced strong criticism over the decision by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to provide houses and cars to judges. According to Falana, these gestures threaten the independence of Nigeria’s judiciary and breach fundamental constitutional principles. Therefore, he has called for a halt to such practices, stressing that judicial autonomy must remain uncompromised.
Falana argues that, while judges indeed deserve good welfare, their benefits should strictly come from the National Judicial Council (NJC), not from executive figures like Wike. “Gifts like houses and cars,” he stated, “could potentially weaken the separation of powers, creating a dependence that harms judicial impartiality.” For Falana, these actions blur the line between the judiciary and executive branches, which ultimately undermines the judges’ ability to make unbiased decisions.
In his defense, Wike has clarified that his decision to provide housing for judges aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive, as part of a wider plan to improve judicial welfare. He maintains that these initiatives are not designed to influence or compromise judicial decision-making but rather to support judicial efficiency. Nonetheless, Falana remains unconvinced, emphasizing that the judiciary should not be beholden to any branch of government for its welfare.
SERAP Calls for Presidential Intervention
Adding weight to Falana’s critique, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has appealed to President Tinubu, urging him to prevent Wike and other governors from bestowing gifts upon judges. SERAP argues that such practices violate constitutional ethics, fostering an environment where the judiciary might appear subordinate to the executive.
Debate on Judicial Welfare and Independence Continues
With these concerns growing louder, the debate over judicial welfare and autonomy is intensifying. While some view Wike’s gesture as supportive, others, like Falana and SERAP, fear that it compromises impartiality. As the discourse unfolds, maintaining the judiciary’s independence remains crucial for public trust in Nigeria’s legal system.
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