Nigeria is mourning the passing of one of its most respected legal figures, former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mohammed Uwais, who died on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Abuja at the age of 89. His death was confirmed by his family.
Justice Uwais, whose career spanned decades and left a lasting mark on the nation’s judiciary and electoral reform, was born on June 12, 1936. He rose through the ranks of Nigeria’s legal system to serve as the country’s Chief Justice from 1995 until his retirement in 2006.
Following his retirement from the bench, Uwais remained actively involved in public service. Notably, he was selected by then-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to head the Electoral Reform Committee—an assignment that saw him champion sweeping recommendations to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
His leadership of the reform committee led to a widely discussed and influential report that continues to inform debates on electoral policy in Nigeria.
A graduate of the University of London, Uwais was called to the Bar in 1963 by the Middle Temple, London. His legal career began as a State Counsel in 1966, and he later became a Senior State Counsel before his appointment to the bench in Kaduna State in 1973, where he eventually served as Chief Judge.
His elevation to the Court of Appeal came in 1977, and two years later, he was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1995, he assumed the office of Chief Justice of Nigeria and led the National Judicial Council.
Uwais also held several other high-profile roles, including Chair of the Nigerian Body of Benchers (1993–1994), and head of the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute from 1995 to 2006.
Throughout his career, he chaired multiple judicial and investigative panels, such as the 1976 inquiry into military contract awards in the North Central State and the 1984 Jimeta Disturbances Tribunal. Internationally, he served as a Commonwealth appointee to a Sri Lankan commission in 1993 probing the deaths of senior military officials.
His accolades and affiliations included being the Honorary President of the World Jurist Association in Washington, D.C., an Honorary Fellow of the Society for Advanced Legal Studies in London, and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Global Legal Information Network Foundation (GLIN).
He also served as Chancellor of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, following his appointment in 2011.
Justice Uwais’ legacy endures as one of profound service, legal intellect, and institutional reform. His work continues to inspire lawyers, judges, and policymakers across the country
