Former Chief Justice Of Nigeria, Mohammed Lawal Uwais, Passes Away at 89.
The nation mourns the loss of Mohammed Lawal Uwais, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, who passed away on Friday, 6 June 2025, at the age of 89. According to a family source, the respected jurist died in Abuja, marking the end of an era for Nigeria’s legal and judicial landscape.
Born on 12 June 1936, Justice Uwais dedicated his life to the advancement of Nigeria’s judiciary, serving as Chief Justice from 1995 until his retirement in 2006. Over the course of his 11-year tenure, he left an indelible mark on the country’s legal system, championing reforms and upholding the principles of justice and fairness.
Following his retirement, Justice Uwais remained a prominent figure in national affairs. In 2007, he was appointed by then-President Umar Musa Yar’adua to chair the Electoral Reform Committee. The committee’s report, submitted in 2008, proposed innovative recommendations to strengthen and improve Nigeria’s electoral process, many of which continue to influence discussions on electoral reform today.
Tributes have poured in from across the nation, with many acknowledging his significant contributions to Nigeria’s legal and democratic frameworks. Plans for his funeral and burial are already underway, as his family prepares to lay him to rest.
Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais will be remembered not only for his judicial leadership but also for his unwavering commitment to the betterment of Nigeria.
