Former President Goodluck Jonathan has criticized what he described as a growing culture among some government institutions of dismissing public concerns by directing aggrieved citizens to seek redress in court.
Speaking at a recent public event, Jonathan expressed concern over what he called declining standards in public institutions and the increasing tendency of officials to rely on the judiciary whenever allegations of wrongdoing are raised against them.
The former president cited an East African proverb to illustrate his point, saying, “If a thief tells you to go to court, he knows that his brother is the judge.”
According to Jonathan, the saying reflects public perceptions that some individuals who engage in wrongdoing may have confidence in receiving favorable outcomes through compromised systems.
“We see government institutions doing the wrong thing and telling people to go to court,” Jonathan said. “There is this saying in East Africa that if a thief tells you to go to court, he knows that his brother is the judge.”
His remarks come amid ongoing debates over accountability, transparency, and public trust in government institutions, with critics frequently raising concerns about the handling of political and administrative disputes through the judicial process.
Jonathan did not mention any specific institution or ongoing case but emphasized the need for public confidence in governance and the rule of law.
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