July 17, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has criticised the Federal Government’s decision to allocate residential houses to judges, describing the policy as discriminatory and inconsistent with the constitutional principle of equality before the law.
Speaking at a public event, Falana questioned the legal basis for the initiative, arguing that while judicial officers deserve decent accommodation and adequate security, similar welfare considerations should also be extended to other categories of public servants.
According to him, government policies should promote fairness rather than provide exclusive benefits to a select group of public officials.
“We have reached a stage where special privileges given to top public officers must be challenged. Judges deserve comfortable accommodation and security, but other citizens rendering essential services should also receive equal consideration,” Falana said.
The senior lawyer cited university professors and career civil servants as examples of professionals whose welfare also deserves greater attention. He argued that many of them dedicate decades of service to the country without receiving comparable housing benefits.
Falana further criticised the multiple benefits reportedly enjoyed by former governors serving in the National Assembly, saying the disparity highlights the need for government policies to reflect the constitutional principle of equality before the law.
He maintained that any policy perceived as discriminatory could be challenged through legal means.
The controversy follows the inauguration of 20 residential units for judges of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The minister announced that the houses would be allocated on an owner-occupier basis, subject to the approval of President Bola Tinubu and the Attorney General of the Federation.
Wike also revealed plans to construct additional residential quarters and expand judicial infrastructure across the FCT.
However, the initiative has attracted criticism from some civil society organisations, including MonITNG, which argued that the government should prioritise essential services such as healthcare, education, clean water and other basic infrastructure for residents of underserved communities.
The debate has continued to generate public reactions, with supporters describing the housing initiative as a step toward improving judicial welfare, while critics insist that government welfare programmes should be implemented fairly across all sectors of the public service.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and provide verified updates.
