Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that investors will refrain from committing capital to any economy in which the courts are seen as compromised and under political influence. Speaking in Accra, Ghana during the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Jonathan emphasised that the independence of the judiciary is a cornerstone of a stable and trustworthy business environment.
He argued that when government officials dictate what rulings judges should deliver, businesspeople naturally view this as creating unacceptable risk. According to Jonathan, “no businessman can bring his money to invest in a country where the judiciary is compromised, where a government functionary can dictate to judges what judgment they will give.” He believes that rulers who interfere in court processes undermine economic growth by scaring off investors.
Jonathan also urged that for Nigeria to chart a secure future, its leaders must consistently uphold justice and fairness, regardless of whether it causes discomfort or even political loss. He insisted that ethical governance should take precedence over short-term gains or personal advantage.
At the same event Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto commended Jonathan’s decision in 2015 to concede defeat in elections. He described that act as a defining moment for the country’s democratic development. Bishop Kukah went on to caution Jonathan against individuals who may wish to use him to further their private ambitions in the run-up to the 2027 elections. Quoting General Theophilus Danjuma he said that people who approach with hidden agendas must be carefully distinguished from those acting with genuine national interest.
Jonathan’s remarks make clear that judicial integrity and fairness must be preserved if Nigeria and other nations are to attract investment, protect democratic institutions, and ensure long-term prosperity.
Emmanuel Onwuka