ADC Blasts APC Over Judges’ Housing Celebration

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for publicly celebrating the commissioning of residential quarters built for judges, describing the gesture as inappropriate and capable of undermining confidence in the independence of the judiciary.

In a statement, the opposition party said the celebration of the project as a political achievement was “shameless, unethical and inappropriate,” arguing that it creates a wrong impression about the relationship between the executive arm of government and the judiciary.

The ADC acknowledged that judges are entitled to decent accommodation, improved security, and adequate welfare, but stressed that such provisions are constitutional responsibilities funded by taxpayers, not personal favours from political office holders.

The party’s reaction followed commendation by the APC of President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the commissioning of the newly completed Court of Appeal complex equipped with modern facilities, as well as 20-unit residential quarters for justices of the Court of Appeal and judges of the Federal High Court. It also referenced the planned commissioning of additional housing units for judges in the FCT.

According to the ADC, the problem was not with the construction of the facilities itself, but with what it described as the “dangerous impression” created when the executive is portrayed as a benefactor of another constitutionally independent arm of government.

“The issue is therefore not the construction of the quarters in itself, but the dangerous impression of the Executive arm of government presenting itself as the benefactor of another constitutionally independent arm,” said the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi.

He added that neither President Tinubu nor Minister Wike should be credited with personal acclaim for executing projects funded with public resources, stressing that such responsibilities are part of governance obligations.

Abdullahi further warned that portraying judicial welfare as dependent on the goodwill of political actors could weaken public trust in the judiciary and blur the constitutional principle of separation of powers. He argued that in a democracy, the judiciary must remain insulated from any perception that its welfare is tied to executive discretion.

He also expressed concern that glorifying political office holders for such projects could deepen public suspicion about undue influence over the judiciary, adding that it risks reinforcing perceptions of executive dominance over judicial institutions.

The ADC concluded that judicial independence is not demonstrated through the construction of buildings, but through respect for institutional boundaries and strict adherence to constitutional principles governing the separation of powers.