TINUBU COMMISSIONS BODY OF BENCHERS ANNEX, SAYS ABUJA WITNESSING REMARKABLE RENAISSANCE UNDER WIKE

…Reaffirms Commitment to Judicial Independence

By: Wisdom Acka

President Bola Tinubu has declared that the Federal Capital Territory is undergoing a remarkable renaissance under the leadership of its Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike.

The President made the declaration on Monday, 6 July, 2026, in Abuja while commissioning the new state-of-the-art Office Annex for the Body of Benchers.

Represented at the ceremony by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President stated that the event was not merely a celebration of a beautiful edifice but a resounding affirmation of his administration’s steadfast commitment to the rule of law, the independence of institutions, and the dignity of the Nigerian legal profession.

Tinubu stated that the Body of Benchers, as the gatekeeper of the legal profession, stands at the very apex of the nation’s institutional framework and deserves a befitting secretariat that reflects its prestige and responsibility.

“When we took the oath of office, we promised Nigerians a ‘Renewed Hope’. We made it clear that democracy cannot thrive in a vacuum; it requires strong, resilient, and well-equipped institutions to anchor it,” the President said.

He clarified that providing infrastructure for the judiciary and legal community is not an interference but a constitutional and collaborative duty of the Executive to ensure operational efficiency and excellence.

President Tinubu outlined a series of complementary projects, including the approval for the construction of two 300-capacity hostels at the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, the completion of a critical access road linking the Body of Benchers Secretariat to Nile University, and a new Fire Service Station for the area.

He specially commended the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, and his team for the laudable initiatives and timely project delivery.

“When I appointed Minister Wike, I gave him a clear mandate: to transform Abuja into a modern, functional, and world-class capital city. Over the last three years, the scale of infrastructural development, urban renewal, and project delivery in the FCT has been unmatched,” the President said.

He listed other landmark projects under the FCT Administration, including the Court of Appeal Complex, the new Judges’ Quarters, and massive road networks like the Outer Southern Expressway, as evidence of the city’s transformation.

President Tinubu charged the Chairman and members of the Body of Benchers to utilize the new annex as a sanctuary for justice, mentorship, and deep reflection on legal system reforms.

“Let this edifice stand as a permanent pillar of professional excellence, accountability, and national unity. My administration will continue to play its part, ensuring that our judicial officers are well-housed, well-remunerated, and provided with the tools to dispense justice without fear or favor,” he concluded.

In his remarks, the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for his unwavering support and consistent release of funds, which enabled the execution of projects across the territory.

He recounted how the project was initiated following an appeal from the former Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, SAN, and how the President directed its inclusion in a supplementary budget, which was approved by the National Assembly.

The Minister also revealed that a new road to decongest traffic around the area, requested during a recent Call to Bar ceremony, has been constructed and will be commissioned by the Vice President on Tuesday.

“When it is your own turn, don’t do. This is our own period, I have to utilize it so that when I go out, nobody will ask me, ‘while you were there, what did you do?’” Wike stated, emphasizing his commitment to impactful service delivery.

He announced that the commissioning train would proceed to the Nigerian Law School to commission new residences for lecturers and administrative staff, another intervention facilitated by the President’s support.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the new office annex as a major institutional milestone and a symbol of Nigeria’s collective commitment to professional excellence and the advancement of justice.

She said the project represents a deliberate investment in the institutions that safeguard the integrity of the nation’s justice system and underscores the importance of a conducive environment for the Body of Benchers.

Mahmoud conveyed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his unwavering support for institutional renewal under the Renewed Hope Agenda and paid glowing tribute to Minister Wike for his visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to transforming Abuja.

She expressed confidence that the new Office Annex would serve as a centre of service, discipline, mentorship, and professional excellence for the legal community in Nigeria.

The event was attended by legal luminaries, senior government officials, traditional rulers, and members of the Body of Benchers, led by its Chairman, HRM Albert Akpomudje, SAN.