The former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Uwais, has passed away at the age of 89, as confirmed by his family.
The retired jurist died on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Abuja.
Born on June 12, 1936, Justice Uwais served as the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1995 until his retirement in 2006.
After retiring from the Supreme Court, he was appointed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to lead the Electoral Reform Committee, where he played a key role in efforts to improve Nigeria’s electoral system.
Uwais chaired a commission that published a much-publicised report on electoral reform.
Uwais was called to the Bar by the Middle Temple, London, in 1963 after graduating from the University of London.
He served as a State Counsel and Senior State Counsel (1966-1970), before his appointment as a Judge of the High Court, and later Chief Judge, of Kaduna State (1973-1976).
In 1977, he was appointed a Justice of the Court of Appeal, and in 1979 as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. In 1995, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council.
Uwais served as Chairman, Nigerian Body of Benchers (1993-1994), and as Chairman, Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute of Nigeria from 1995 to 2006.
He was Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Awards of Contracts by the Military Government of North Central State (1976); Chairman of the Jimeta Disturbances Tribunal, Gongola State of Nigeria (1984); and a Commonwealth Member of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the deaths of senior army personnel, Sri Lanka (1993).
He was the Honorary President of the World Jurist Association, Washington D.C; Honorary Fellow of the Society for Advanced Legal Studies, London; and a Member of the Board of Trustees, Global Legal Information Network Foundation (GLIN), Washington D.C.
He was Chairman of the Nigerian Electoral Reform Committee (2007-2008) and was appointed Chancellor of Umaru Musa Yaradua University, Katsina, Katsina State in 2011.
Uwais’ legacy extends beyond his tenure as CJN.
He was widely regarded for his commitment to judicial integrity and reform.
President Bola Tinubu described him as a “colossus” and a “phenomenal jurist and statesman who served Nigeria with honor, courage, and exceptional integrity”.
Chidi Odinkalu, a human rights advocate and professor, also paid tribute, describing Uwais as “a truly good man” and a personal mentor.
