Falana Faults FG’s Housing for Judges, Demands Equal Welfare for All Public Servants

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has criticised the Federal Government’s decision to provide houses exclusively for judges, arguing that such a policy is discriminatory and undermines the constitutional principle of equality.

Speaking on the issue, Falana said he was disturbed by the recent handover of houses to judges by the Federal Government, questioning the legal basis for extending such benefits to one category of public servants while excluding others.

“It was very sad when I saw that the Federal Government was handing over the keys of houses to judges, and I asked myself, under what law are we operating? Because it’s discriminatory and illegal,” he said.

While acknowledging that judges deserve decent accommodation and adequate security due to the nature of their duties, Falana insisted that similar consideration should be given to other public servants who also provide essential services to Nigerians.

He argued that professors, for instance, contribute significantly to national development but are often left without adequate housing, noting that many now live in rented accommodation due to the shortage of official quarters.

According to Falana, welfare programmes should be implemented fairly across the public service rather than favouring a select group of government officials.

He also criticised the generous post-tenure benefits enjoyed by many former governors, saying several receive pensions, allowances, and houses both in their states and in Abuja after serving for four or eight years.

In contrast, he noted that career civil servants who dedicate up to 35 years of service often retire without similar support despite their long years of commitment to public service.

Falana maintained that the principle of equality before the law must guide government policies, warning that any discriminatory welfare scheme could be challenged in court.

He stressed that while judges should continue to receive the support necessary to perform their duties effectively, government policies must ensure that fairness and equal treatment are extended to all categories of public servants.

On Wednesday, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike handed over 20 residential houses built for judges of the FCT High Court in Abuja.