Nigeria’s legal community is mourning the passing of a towering figure in its judiciary, as former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, has died at the age of 89.
The family of the retired jurist confirmed his death, which occurred on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Born on June 12, 1936, Justice Uwais dedicated more than four decades of his life to the advancement of Nigeria’s judicial system. He served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1995 until his retirement in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, judicial activism, and public service.
Following his tenure at the Supreme Court, Justice Uwais was appointed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to chair the Nigerian Electoral Reform Committee in 2007 — a body tasked with overhauling Nigeria’s often-contentious electoral process. Under his leadership, the committee produced a widely-acclaimed report advocating significant reforms to ensure free, fair, and credible elections in the country.
A distinguished alumnus of the University of London, Uwais was called to the Bar at Middle Temple, London, in 1963. His illustrious career spanned roles as State Counsel and Senior State Counsel from 1966 to 1970, followed by appointments as Judge and later Chief Judge of Kaduna State (1973–1976).
In 1977, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal, and by 1979, to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. His appointment as Chief Justice in 1995 marked the pinnacle of a judicial journey that saw him preside over landmark rulings and serve as Chairman of the National Judicial Council.
Justice Uwais also held several notable positions, including Chairman of the Nigerian Body of Benchers (1993–1994), and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute (1995–2006). His international contributions included serving as Honorary President of the World Jurist Association, Washington D.C., and as a Commonwealth member of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry in Sri Lanka in 1993.
In 2011, he was appointed Chancellor of Umaru Musa Yaradua University, Katsina, further cementing his status as a respected elder statesman in Nigeria’s legal and educational spheres.
Justice Uwais’ death marks the end of an era for Nigeria’s judiciary, and tributes are pouring in from legal practitioners, public officials, and civic leaders who remember him as a principled, cerebral, and courageous jurist.
