Nigeria’s former Chief Justice, Mohammed Lawal Uwais, has died at the age of 89.
The eminent jurist reportedly passed away in the early hours of Friday, a development confirmed by Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State.
Justice Uwais served as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) from 1995 until his retirement in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of judicial reforms and landmark rulings.
Following his retirement from the Supreme Court, Uwais was appointed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to chair the Presidential Electoral Reform Committee, a body tasked with reviewing Nigeria’s electoral framework. The committee’s membership included prominent Nigerians such as Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and human rights advocate, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN.
As of press time, official funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
Tributes are expected to pour in from across Nigeria’s legal, political, and civic leadership in the coming days, in honour of Justice Uwais’ distinguished service to the nation.
