President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi have paid glowing tributes to the late former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, who died on Friday at the age of 88.
In a personal statement, Tinubu described the late Uwais as “a phenomenal jurist and statesman who served Nigeria with honour, courage and exceptional integrity.”
Tinubu recalled that Uwais, “superintended the Judiciary at a challenging time in our history with tact, patience, and a sense of duty. This stabilising role helped usher in the current democratic dispensation, which he had the distinct honour of ushering in as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who swore in the elected president on May 29, 1999.”
He also recalled Uwais’ continued national service in retirement, noting his leadership of the Electoral Reform Committee.
“Not surprisingly, Justice Uwais led the panel to produce a critical report that contained a detailed prognosis of our electoral system,” Tinubu said, adding that Uwais “maintained a dignified persona, earning him respect beyond his immediate constituency.”
The president prayed for the late jurist’s soul and extended condolences to his family, the people of Kaduna State, and the Nigerian judiciary.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari also expressed sadness at Uwais’ passing.
Speaking through his spokesman, Garba Shehu, Buhari said he was pained by the loss of “a distinguished career as a lawyer and a judge.”
He described the late CJN as a man “admired for his compassion and justice” who “made important contributions towards making Nigeria‘s democratic fabric stronger.”
Buhari added, “He will always be remembered by countless people for his emphasis on a meticulous approach to law as a judge and a member of the Council of State.”
He extended condolences to Uwais’ family, relatives, and friends.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who noted that the late jurist was also his in-law, mourned Uwais as “not only a towering figure in our judiciary but also my in-law.”
Atiku praised Uwais’ “legacy of integrity, fairness, and commitment to democratic reforms, especially through the Electoral Reform Committee, which he chaired.”
He prayed for Allah’s forgiveness and eternal rest for the deceased.
Also reacting, former Anambra State Governor and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, joined in mourning both Justice Uwais and former Minister of Education and Petroleum, Professor Jibril Aminu.
Obi described Uwais as “an outstanding jurist who upheld the rule of law and ensured that justice prevailed under his watch,” adding that “his contribution to deepening our democracy through the renowned Uwais Report, which laid the groundwork for vital electoral reforms,” would be remembered.
He extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and the governments of Kaduna and Adamawa States.
Uwais served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1995 to 2006 and was respected for his stance on judicial integrity and reform.
