A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, has passed away at the age of 89, the Presidency announced on Friday.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the late jurist as a “colossus” in a statement honoring his legacy.
Justice Uwais served as Chief Justice during Nigeria’s pivotal transition to democracy in 1999, following nearly two decades of military rule. He played a key role in swearing in the country’s elected president on May 29, 1999, helping to stabilize the judiciary and support the democratic process at a critical time.
In a press release from the Statehouse, President Tinubu praised Justice Uwais as a “phenomenal jurist and statesman” who served Nigeria with exceptional integrity, courage, and honor. “Many remarkable highpoints hallmarked Justice Uwais’ illustrious career on the bench. He superintended the Judiciary at a challenging time in our history with tact, patience, and a sense of duty,” the statement read.
Following his retirement, Justice Uwais was appointed to lead a federal panel investigating electoral conduct. His leadership resulted in a detailed report that critically assessed Nigeria’s electoral system, reflecting his ongoing commitment to national service.
“May God Almighty accept the soul of Justice Uwais and admit him to Jannatul Firdaus,” President Tinubu said. He extended his “heartfelt condolences to the Uwais family, the government and the people of Kaduna State, as well as the members of the Nigerian Judiciary, over the death of this colossus.”
