The Nigerian judiciary is in mourning following the death of a former head of the nation's judicial arm. Retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, has passed away at the age of 71.
NJC and Legal Community Pay Tributes
The news of his passing was first confirmed in an official condolence statement from the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS). The association's national headquarters in Abuja described his death as a monumental loss for Nigeria, its judiciary, and the entire legal profession.
In a separate message, the current Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, expressed profound sorrow. She commiserated with the late jurist's family and the people of Bauchi State, his home region.
The NJC itself issued a statement acknowledging the painful reality of death but finding solace in the enduring legacy left by Justice Muhammad. The council highlighted his hard work, honesty, and dedication to duty as qualities that would continue to inspire.
A Storied Career on the Bench
Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, who held the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), was a pivotal figure in Nigerian law. He was a devout Muslim, a respected jurist, and was widely recognized for his courage and commitment to the highest ideals of the Bench.
His judicial career spanned decades with remarkable milestones:
- He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981 after graduating from the Nigerian Law School that same year, beginning his legal practice in 1982.
- In 1989, he was appointed Chief Magistrate of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
- By 1991, he had become a Judge at the Bauchi State Sharia Court of Appeal.
- His elevation to the Court of Appeal Bench came in 1993.
- He ascended to the pinnacle of the judiciary as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2006.
- He served as the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 2019 until his resignation in June 2022, a step he took due to ill health.
The former CJN would have celebrated his 72nd birthday on December 31, 2025.
Legacy of a Legal Luminary
The death of Justice Tanko Muhammad marks the end of an era for Nigeria's Supreme Court. His journey from the lower courts to the apex court showcases a life dedicated to judicial service. The unanimous tone of the tributes points to a legacy built on principle and professional rigor.
As the judiciary and the nation at large come to terms with this loss, the focus turns to the standards he set and the path he charted for legal excellence in Nigeria. His contributions, particularly during his tenure at the helm of the nation's courts, have indelibly shaped the contemporary Nigerian legal landscape.
