Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed concern over political interference in the judiciary. Speaking at the 67th birthday celebration of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, Jonathan warned that political influence could undermine the country’s democracy and judicial system.
Concerns About Judicial Independence
Jonathan criticised some recent court judgments on political cases, describing them as turning democracy “upside down.” He compared Nigeria’s current judicial situation to a cone being turned upside down, saying it was unstable and fragile. Jonathan stressed that for democracy to thrive, both lawyers and judges must resist political influence.
Lamenting the State of Democracy
The former president further emphasised that the judiciary must maintain integrity and independence to stabilise Nigeria’s political system. Jonathan noted that some Supreme Court judgments have drawn criticism from prominent lawyers, which has led to concerns about the future of Nigeria’s democracy. He called for urgent reforms to prevent further erosion of trust in the judiciary.
The Impact of Flawed Judgments
Jonathan shared a specific example of a controversial judgment that allowed a ward chairman to expel a national party chairman. He argued that such rulings defy natural justice and create instability in political parties. Jonathan urged the Supreme Court to revisit this decision, warning that it threatens the stability of political processes in Nigeria.
A Call for Judicial Reforms
Jonathan called on Nigeria’s legal community to engage in reforms that would strengthen the judiciary. He stressed that democracy can only grow when the courts operate independently and free from political pressure. Jonathan’s appeal comes at a time when many are questioning the integrity of Nigeria’s legal system.
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