Nigeria’s former Chief Justice, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, has passed away.
He was aged 89.
The news of his demise was confirmed by his family in a terse statement.
“Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihir Rajiun. It is with heavy heart, full of gratitude to Allah Subahanahu Wata’ala, that we announce the passing away of our father, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, former Chief Justice of the Federation. Funeral arrangements are to be done immediately after Juma’at Mosque today at the National Mosque Abuja,” the statement read.
Born on June 12, 1936, in Zaria, Kaduna State, Justice Uwais served as the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1995 to 2006. He was widely respected for his dedication to judicial reforms and for defending the independence of the judiciary.
Justice Uwais began his legal career after being called to the Bar at Middle Temple in London in 1963. He first worked as a State Counsel in Nigeria’s Northern Region and steadily rose through the judiciary ranks, becoming a Justice of the Supreme Court in 1979.
During his time as Chief Justice, he pushed for important judicial reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law and making the judiciary more independent. After his tenure, he chaired the Electoral Reform Committee in 2007, which produced the influential “Uwais Report.” This report recommended key changes to Nigeria’s electoral system, including the creation of an independent commission to handle electoral offenses and reforms to the process for appointing the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice Uwais is survived by his wife, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, a lawyer who served as a Special Adviser and Coordinator of Social Investment Programs under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. His contributions continue to inspire many Nigerians, especially those in the legal and judicial fields.
