Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Uwais, Dies at 89

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Lawal Uwais, has passed away at the age of 89. His family confirmed that he died on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Abuja.

Born on June 12, 1936, Uwais served as the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1995 until his retirement in 2006. Following his retirement, he remained active in public service and was appointed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to head the Electoral Reform Committee. Under his leadership, the committee produced a landmark report aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s electoral system.

Justice Uwais began his legal career after being called to the Bar by the Middle Temple in London in 1963. He held several key positions throughout his distinguished career, including State Counsel, Senior State Counsel, and later Judge and Chief Judge of Kaduna State. He was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 1977 and became a Justice of the Supreme Court in 1979.

During his tenure as CJN, Uwais also served as Chairman of the National Judicial Council, Chairman of the Nigerian Body of Benchers (1993–1994), and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute (1995–2006). He presided over several judicial panels and commissions, including the Jimeta Disturbances Tribunal in 1984 and the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into contract awards by the military government of North Central State in 1976.

Internationally, he served as a Commonwealth Member of Sri Lanka’s Presidential Commission of Inquiry in 1993 and held honorary positions such as Honorary President of the World Jurist Association and Honorary Fellow of the Society for Advanced Legal Studies in London.

In 2011, he was appointed Chancellor of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University in Katsina.

Justice Uwais leaves behind a legacy of integrity, reform, and service to the Nigerian judiciary and democratic development.