No Investor Will Trust a Nation with a Failing Judiciary — Retired Appeal Court Judge

No Investor Will Trust a Nation with a Failing Judiciary — Retired Appeal Court Judge

A retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Oludotun Adebola Adefope-Okojie, has cautioned that Nigeria’s economic future remains bleak unless urgent reforms are carried out to strengthen the judiciary.

Speaking at a recent legal conference, the former appellate judge stressed that no serious investor would risk capital in a country where the courts are unreliable, slow, or compromised by corruption.

“Investors seek certainty—enforceable contracts, protected property rights, and fair dispute resolution,” Adefope-Okojie said. “A judiciary that cannot deliver timely and impartial justice is a national liability.”

She warned that judicial dysfunction—marked by endless delays, political interference, and corruption—erodes trust and drives capital away, while countries with efficient and independent legal systems continue to attract foreign direct investment.

Drawing from her decades-long career, which began with her call to the Nigerian Bar in 1976 and included an LL.M from the University of London, the retired judge emphasized the urgent need for reforms. Among her recommendations were increased use of arbitration to ease court backlogs, greater judicial independence, and strict accountability measures for judicial officers.

Adefope-Okojie, who retired in May 2023 from the Court of Appeal’s Lagos Division, had echoed similar concerns in her valedictory speech last year. She reiterated that without a credible judiciary, Nigeria risks economic stagnation and isolation in the global investment community.

Her remarks serve as a reminder that the health of the judiciary is directly tied to the nation’s economic growth and stability. “The judiciary is not just a legal institution; it is an economic driver,” she said, urging policymakers and citizens alike to demand systemic change.