Ex-Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Muhammad, has passed away at the age of 71. He died in a hospital in Saudi Arabia after a prolonged illness.
His death was announced by the National Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS) on Tuesday, December 16, in a message that reads in part:
“The Nigeria Association of Muslim Law Students, NAMLAS, National Headquarters, Abuja, receives with profound sorrow the news of the passing of Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, former Chief Justice of Nigeria.
His demise is a monumental loss to the Nigerian judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim Ummah, and the nation at large, Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return”.
He was just 15 days to his 72nd birthday on the 31st of December.
Muhammad served as the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 2019 until his resignation in 2022, citing health reasons.
His tenure was marked by controversy, including allegations of corruption and mismanagement of Supreme Court resources.
Muhammad was a respected jurist who rose through the ranks of the judiciary, serving as a Judge of the High Court, Justice of the Court of Appeal, and Justice of the Supreme Court. He was known for his commitment to the rule of law and judicial independence.
Tributes have been paid to Muhammad by the Supreme Court, the National Judicial Council, and the Bauchi State Government, describing him as a man of integrity, humility, and dedication to the judiciary.
