…….Wike Receives Benchers Insignia
The Chairman of the Body of Benchers of Nigeria, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), has stated that the executive’s support for the judiciary does not amount to interference with the independence of either arm of government.
He made the clarification while flagging off the design, construction, and furnishing of the office annex of the Body of Benchers of Nigeria.
Awomolo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, for their infrastructural intervention and support for the judicial arm of government.
The Chairman said no arm of government was sufficiently endowed with everything it required to perform its constitutional functions, adding that the makers of the Nigerian constitution also foresaw the need for support, cooperation, collaboration, and intervention of the executive arm in areas of infrastructural facilities.
He said, “The Body of Benchers is very grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and Chief Executive of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for approving the initiative of the Honourable Minister for the FCT, His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Life Bencher, CON for interventions of provision of basic infrastructural facilities in the Nigerian Law School, Body of Benchers and the judiciary”.
While describing the FCT Minister as an Ambassador of the judiciary, Chief Awomolo said, “The infrastructural intervention now made to the Body of Benchers by the Honourable Minister is one of the Executive supports which deserve appreciation and commendation”.
In his remarks, the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the various arms of government and stressed the FCT Administration’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for the judiciary to function effectively.
He disclosed that provision was made in the supplementary budget of the FCT for the construction of the Body of Benchers office complex and was approved by the President, and assured that the project would be completed over the next 10 months.
The Minister also revealed that the President has approved the construction of 10 residential buildings for the lecturers of the Nigerian law school, which will be flagged off in the coming week.
He said, “It’s a public school owned by the government, and they lack basic infrastructure. Mr. President said it has to be done, and he approved the construction of 10 residential buildings for the lecturers, which will be flagged off on Monday and completed in 10 months.”
The Minister assured of the availability of funds for the project and thanked President Tinubu for his unwavering support for the FCT Administration.
Responding to a request to provide a fire service station within the Body of Benchers complex, the Minister also assured that the project would be included in the FCT’s 2025 budget.
He said, “You can take it for granted; by 2025, we are going to establish a fire service station within this complex”.
The FCT Minister pledged his continued support for the judiciary, adding that criticisms would not deter him.
“I want to assure the Body of Benchers that I will make you proud, and you will see a difference as far as governance is concerned,” he added.
In his goodwill message, Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Kanu Agabi (SAN) described the FCT Minister as a man with a plan who has given hope to the nation and thanked the Minister for the respect and support he has shown the judiciary.
He said, “We are very proud of you, we appreciate you, and we are grateful to you. I thank God that a man like you is Minister at this time. You have vision, you are decisive, you have foresight. Thank you for all the things you are doing.”
Giving an overview of the project, Ag. Executive Secretary FCDA, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda said the project is located within the Institution and Research District in Phase 3 of the Federal Capital City and involves constructing and furnishing an office complex and providing other facilities like Conference Halls and meeting rooms.
He said the project will provide a conducive environment for the Benchers to carry out their statutory functions effectively.
In his pledge of commitment, the Project Manager, Tobocat Nig. Ltd – the contractors handling the project, Engr. Emmanuel Hon assured of the timely completion of the project. He thanked the Minister for entrusting his company with the execution of the project, adding that the project would be executed with the highest standard, abiding strictly by the guidelines and specifications.
Highlights of the event include the decoration of the FCT Minister with the insignia of the Body of Benchers and the presentation of a plague to him by the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria and Vice Chairman, Body of Benchers of Nigeria, Justice Ariwoola, to commemorate the official flag-off of the construction exercise.