Former Chief Justice of Nigeria dies at 89

Nigeria is mourning the loss of one of its most revered legal minds as former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed Uwais, has died at the age of 89.

The Nation confirmed that the distinguished jurist passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Abuja.

His death was corroborated by sources within the Supreme Court and further affirmed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo (SAN), who paid tribute to Uwais’s enduring legacy in the country’s judicial history.

Details regarding the cause of his death remain undisclosed at the time of filing this report.

However, preparations for his Janazah (Islamic funeral prayer) and burial are reportedly in progress in accordance with Islamic rites.

Born on June 12, 1936, Mohammed Lawal Uwais had an illustrious legal career spanning decades.

He was appointed as Chief Justice of Nigeria in 1995 and served until 2006, making him one of the longest-serving CJNs in the country’s history.

Justice Uwais was known for his unwavering commitment to judicial independence, the rule of law, and electoral reform.

His tenure on the bench was widely regarded as one of the most principled and reform-focused in Nigerian legal annals.

Following his retirement from the Supreme Court in 2006, Uwais was appointed by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to head the Electoral Reform Committee.

The committee’s final report was a landmark document, offering recommendations aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s electoral process.

Though not fully implemented, the Uwais Report remains a reference point in discussions around electoral integrity in Nigeria.

Legal practitioners, politicians, and public figures across Nigeria have begun pouring out tributes in honour of the late justice.

Kayode Ajulo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, described Uwais as “a beacon of legal wisdom and integrity whose judgments reshaped Nigeria’s judicial landscape.”

“His death is a profound loss to Nigeria’s legal community and the nation as a whole,” Ajulo stated.

Family members of the late jurist have yet to release an official statement, but sources close to them confirm that burial arrangements are being made and will take place in Abuja later today.

Justice Mohammed Uwais is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.

As Nigeria bids farewell to a judicial icon, his legacy of justice, impartiality, and reform will continue to inspire generations of legal minds and public servants.

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