…Warns against compromised justice, strongman politics
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has ignited widespread debate across Nigeria’s political and social landscapes with a pointed remark on Nigeria’s judicial system.
Delivered during the ‘2026 Law Week’ of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Yenagoa Branch in Bayelsa State, his home state, the statement blends a purported East African proverb with sharp criticism of contemporary governance and judicial trust.
Speaking at an event where he served as chairman and alongside Kenyan Pan-Africanist Prof. Patrick Lumumba (whom he referenced for confirmation of the saying), Jonathan addressed perceived institutional failures. He stated:
“We see government institutions doing the wrong thing and telling people to go to court… There is this saying that in East Africa… that if a thief tells you to go to court, he knows that his brother is the judge”.
The remark directly targets the growing practice of public officials or institutions, when accused of misconduct or overreach, responding with “go to court”.
This phrase has become a common retort in Nigerian political discourse, often used by those in power to deflect criticism. Jonathan framed it as a symptom of deeper rot: institutions committing wrongs while banking on a compromised Judiciary for vindication.
The event focused on themes like securing Africa’s future, strong institutions, and the rule of law. The former president urged lawyers and judges to act as custodians of justice, emphasizing that Nigeria’s future hinges on impartial judiciary, strong institutions over individuals, and equal protection under the law.
Jonathan’s words tap into longstanding frustrations. “Go to court” dismissals ring hollow when citizens perceive the bench as influenced by political connections, financial inducements, or ethnic/party loyalties”, he stated.
