Former Chief Justice Mohammed Uwais passes on at 88

Mohammed Uwais, former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), has passed away at the age of 88. His death was confirmed early Friday by Kayode Ajulo, Ondo State’s attorney general.

Born in Zaria, Kaduna State, Uwais became a Supreme Court justice at just 43 and went on to serve as CJN from 1995 to 2006 — the second-longest tenure in Nigeria’s history. After his retirement, he chaired the Electoral Reform Committee under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

The committee’s landmark 2008 report called for an independent electoral body & introduced forward-thinking recommendations such as electronic voting & result transmission.

Tributes have poured in for the respected jurist. Human rights advocate Chidi Odinkalu described Uwais as “a truly good man” & “a mentor.” Ajulo praised him as “a beacon of integrity” who “transformed the judiciary and championed democratic reforms.” Justice Uwais leaves behind a legacy of legal excellence, reform & unwavering service to Nigeria.