Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has faced significant criticism from socio-accountability organizations and human rights activists over his administration's development priorities and public displays of welfare provisions for judges. Critics argue that while the government focuses on constructing new judges’ quarters, thousands of residents in Abuja’s satellite communities continue to lack access to fundamental public services, including clean water, functional schools, and accessible healthcare.

The organization MonITng, in a statement on March 14, 2026, highlighted the dire living conditions in many FCT outskirts. They pointed out that residents still rely on unsafe water sources shared with animals, often traveling long distances for water that is neither protected nor safe. This situation, they argued, raises serious questions about the FCT administration's priorities, particularly in light of the attention given to housing projects for the judiciary. MonITng also expressed concern over the deteriorating infrastructure of public schools, noting that strong winds and prolonged neglect have destroyed classroom buildings, forcing many schools to suspend classes and leaving over 20,000 pupils out of the education system. Healthcare services were described as inadequate, with many facilities lacking essential equipment and personnel. Despite announcements of a Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese authorities for a water infrastructure project, residents have yet to see any meaningful improvement, leading MonITng to question the prioritization of judicial housing over critical public infrastructure.

Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju joined the chorus of criticism, asserting that Wike’s constant public spectacle surrounding welfare provisions for judges undermines the independence and credibility of Nigeria’s judiciary. Adeyanju emphasized that judicial independence is not merely about actual influence but also about the public's perception of judges being free from political control. He warned that repeatedly positioning a politician as a benefactor of judges, complete with public announcements and fanfare, creates the impression that the bench is beholden to political power. Adeyanju contrasted Wike’s approach with that of other state governments, like Lagos State, which support their judicial institutions without excessive publicity. He cautioned that such public displays risk portraying judges as political dependents rather than neutral arbiters, eroding public trust in the court system.

Adding to the criticism, human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore accused Minister Wike of prioritizing the construction of duplexes for judges while neglecting other public servants like doctors and teachers. Sowore alleged that Wike has not built residential houses for FCT resident doctors because he does not rely on Nigerian medical practitioners, and has not provided houses for teachers because his children do not attend Nigerian schools. He further claimed that Wike is constructing duplexes for judges because he needs them to influence judicial outcomes and “subvert the course of justice.” These comments have sparked considerable debate on social media. Minister Wike has previously stated that a Court of Appeal complex under construction in Abuja would be completed by May 2026, and confirmed housing projects include 10 duplexes for the Federal High Court, 20 duplexes for the FCT High Court, and another 10 duplexes for the Court of Appeal.