Falana Vows to Challenge FG's Luxury Housing for Judges in Court

Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has expressed his intention to take the Federal Government to court over the recent allocation of luxury houses to judges in Abuja's Katampe district. Falana, in a video statement, described the gesture as discriminatory and illegal, emphasizing that it is imperative to challenge the special privileges afforded to the wealthy and high-ranking public officials in the country. He noted that while watching the television coverage of the handover ceremony, he was disturbed by the fact that such an exercise could not be justified under any known law. Falana stated, 'We have got to a stage in the country where we need to challenge the special privileges given to the rich and top public officers in the country.' He clarified that his objection was not to judges receiving accommodation but to the unequal treatment of other public servants, who he believed deserved similar consideration. Falana cited the example of university lecturers, who render critical services to society yet are poorly remunerated and often lack access to staff quarters. He also pointed out that about 21 governors currently serving in the National Assembly continue to draw legislative salaries and allowances while retaining housing entitlements both in their states and in Abuja, unlike long-serving civil servants who retire with nothing. Falana insisted that equality before the law must be respected across the board, warning that the arrangement would soon be tested in court. The housing project, which is part of an FCT Administration initiative under Minister Nyesom Wike, aims to construct 40 judges' quarters in Katampe, with batches already commissioned by President Bola Tinubu for Federal High Court and Court of Appeal judges. Wike has said the houses would be allocated on an owner-occupier basis, subject to the President's approval. The project has also drawn criticism from other quarters, with critics describing it as tantamount to a bribe.