Falana Vows Court Action Over Judges’ Housing Scheme, Calls Policy Discriminatory
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has announced plans to challenge the Federal Government in court over its recent handover of newly constructed luxury houses to judges in Abuja’s Katampe district.
Falana described the gesture as “discriminatory and illegal,” warning that litigation was imminent. He argued that the government’s selective provision of housing benefits to judges, while excluding other categories of public servants, violated the principle of equality before the law.
Speaking in a video shared by NewsCentral, Falana said he was disturbed after watching television coverage of the handover ceremony. He questioned the legal basis of the exercise, insisting that it could not be justified under any known statute.
“We must challenge the special privileges given to the rich and top public officers. Yesterday, I was watching the telly, I was very sad when I saw the federal government handing over keys of houses to judges. I asked myself: under what law are we operating? It is discriminatory and illegal. You must treat us equally in our country,” he said.
Falana clarified that his objection was not to judges receiving accommodation, but to the exclusion of other public servants who also deserve similar consideration.
“Judges are entitled to accommodation. They must live comfortably and work securely. But other citizens must equally be provided for,” he stressed.
He warned that the arrangement would soon be tested in court, insisting that privileges cannot be extended to one class of officials while others are ignored.
He cited university professors as an example, lamenting that many no longer have access to staff quarters despite their critical role in society. He also criticised former governors now serving in the National Assembly, who continue to enjoy multiple housing entitlements while long-serving civil servants retire with nothing.
“What is good for the goose is good for the gander. This arrangement will be tested in court very soon,” Falana warned.
The housing project, initiated by the FCT Administration under Minister Nyesom Wike, involves the construction of 40 judges’ quarters in Katampe. President Bola Tinubu has already commissioned batches for Federal High Court and Court of Appeal judges. Wike stated that the houses would be allocated on an owner-occupier basis, subject to presidential approval.
Critics, however, have described the initiative as tantamount to a bribe, sparking wider debate on fairness and equality in public service benefits.
