A former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, has passed away. He died on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Abuja at the age of 89, according to a confirmation from his family.
Born on June 12, 1936, Justice Uwais was a towering figure in Nigeria’s judiciary, serving as the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1995 until his retirement in 2006. Widely respected for his deep legal knowledge and integrity, he left a lasting legacy on the bench.
Following his retirement from the Supreme Court, Justice Uwais was appointed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to head the Electoral Reform Committee. Under his leadership, the committee made far-reaching recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system, many of which continue to shape electoral discourse today.
Tributes have begun pouring in from across the country, with legal professionals, political leaders, and civil society groups mourning the loss of one of Nigeria’s most eminent jurists.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in accordance with Islamic rites.