Falana Faults FG’s Luxury Homes for Judges, Threatens Legal Action

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has threatened to challenge the Federal Government in court over the allocation of newly built luxury homes to judges in Abuja’s Katampe District, describing the move as discriminatory and unlawful.

Falana made the remarks in an interview on Thursday, where he criticised the government for providing exclusive housing benefits to members of the judiciary while neglecting other categories of public servants.

According to him, he was disturbed after watching the official handover ceremony on television and questioned the legal basis for the initiative.

“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.

“Yesterday, I was watching television and saw the Federal Government handing over the keys of houses to judges. I asked myself under what law we are operating because it is discriminatory and illegal. You must treat us equally in our country,” Falana said.

The senior lawyer clarified that he was not opposed to judges being provided with official accommodation, stressing that judicial officers deserve secure and comfortable living conditions. However, he argued that similar welfare should be extended to other public servants.

“Judges are entitled to accommodation. They must live comfortably and work securely, but other citizens must be equally provided for,” he added.

Falana warned that the housing policy would soon face legal scrutiny, insisting that the government could not lawfully extend such benefits to one class of public officials while excluding others.

“If you don’t do it, you can be challenged, and that is going to happen very soon because what is good for the goose is good for the gander,” he said.

He also criticised the continued housing and financial benefits enjoyed by former governors who are now serving as members of the National Assembly.

Falana maintained that the principle of equality before the law must be upheld in the distribution of public benefits.

His comments come after the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration, under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike, commenced the allocation of newly completed judges’ quarters in Katampe, Abuja.

The housing project involves the construction of 40 residential units for judges, with completed phases already commissioned by President Bola Tinubu for judges of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.