Former CJN, Mohammed Uwais, dies at 88

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Uwais, has passed away at the age of 88.

His death was confirmed in the early hours of Friday by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, Dr Kayode Ajulo.

Justice Uwais served as Nigeria’s Chief Justice from 1995 until his retirement in 2006, leaving behind a distinguished judicial legacy that spanned decades.

After his retirement from the bench, he was appointed by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to head the Presidential Electoral Reform Committee — a body tasked with recommending reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system. The committee comprised respected national figures, including Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and human rights lawyer, Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN).

Funeral arrangements for the late jurist are yet to be officially announced, while tributes are expected to pour in from across Nigeria’s legal, political and civil society communities in the days ahead.