Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has raised alarm over what he describes as government interference in the judiciary, stating that no serious investor would risk committing capital in a country where officials “dictate to judges what judgments they will give.”
Jonathan made the statement on Saturday during the Haske Satumari Foundation colloquium in Abuja, where he addressed concerns over weak governance and compromised judicial independence in Nigeria.
Key Points from Jonathan’s Address
He asserted that investors are deterred from entering markets where the judiciary is compromised, noting that this damages both economic opportunities and international reputation.
Jonathan warned that governance institutions (executive, legislature, judiciary) are failing the public when they allow arbitrary interference, stating that decisions influenced by politics erode trust in the rule of law.
Highlighting recent political crises in Rivers State, he used the example to underscore the danger posed when constitutional procedures break down and stakeholders refuse reconciliation.
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He emphasised that true progress and investment require predictable legal systems, good governance, and institutional accountability. “No investor will bring his money to invest in a country where the judiciary is compromised,” he remarked.
Beyond The Statement
The remarks come at a sensitive time in Nigeria, following the lifting of the state of emergency in Rivers State and reinstatement of Governor Fubara. Some political actors have raised questions about the constitutional propriety of actions taken during that period.
Jonathan’s address calls into sharp focus Nigeria’s challenge of ensuring governance integrity and legal predictability as prerequisites for attracting foreign direct investment.
Many analysts say that perception of judicial independence is a major factor in whether investors consider Nigeria competitive.
