Wike says he won’t be swayed by criticism after NBA raises concerns over judges receiving a house.

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to delivering infrastructure in the nation’s capital and said it will not be diverted by unwarranted criticism.

He made the remark during a meeting with a delegation of the Body of Benchers, headed by its newly appointed Chairman Albert Akpomudje, SAN, on Tuesday.

The minister was responding to recent comments from Nigeria Bar Association President Afam Osigwe, SAN, who alleged that building houses for judges would compromise their independence. Wike emphasized that the FCT Administration will keep supplying infrastructure to government establishments as required and in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directives.

He noted that while the government welcomes criticism, it should be constructive, adding that purely negative criticism hinders national development.

“Our people should stop criticizing. I am not saying that criticism is bad. But what we expect is constructive criticism. Something that will make me say, okay, I think I made a mistake here and will like to correct it. Not saying that nobody does anything good. That is not progress for u.

“I listened to the NBA chairman attacking. Saying that we are building houses for judges to compromise them. I have always said that you cannot bring down your own house. You cannot come to the public and denigrate your own judges and justices. 

“They are not carrying the houses back home. Government is only providing an enabling environment. That alone will even give them the independence we are talking about. If the executive can give money to build, that will not be a compromise, but if the executive is building, that is what is called a compromise?”

Wike further challenged the NBA chairman’s stance by pointing out that the association itself relies on government funding for its activities. He said it is contradictory for NBA leaders to raise concerns about judicial independence while simultaneously seeking executive patronage for the association’s operations.

“State governments have been funding the NBA, that did not compromise it. But if the same government builds houses for the judges, that means the judges are compromised?”

He called on the NBA chairman to use his tenure to advance reforms that would improve the judiciary and leave a lasting legacy.

“I don’t know how I will say that I am a lawyer, a life bencher in the profession, and I see that my constituency is lacking and I cannot come to the aid by the position I occupy