Eminent jurist and former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, died on June 6, 2025, at the age of 88. His glorious career significantly impacted Nigeria’s judiciary and its evolving democracy. As the CJN, the eminent jurist discharged his duties with diligence and integrity. No wonder, he carried out some landmark reforms in the nation’s judiciary. He will be remembered for his abiding commitment to the rule of law and independence of the judiciary. He was also a champion of electoral reforms.
The late Uwais was born on June 12, 1936, to Chief Alkali, and later Waziri of Zaria Emirate, Kaduna State. He was called to the Bar at Middle Temple, London, in 1963 and began his legal career as a private legal practitioner before joining the Ministry of Justice in Northern Nigeria. He later became a solicitor-general and a permanent secretary. Uwais rose from High Court Judge to Court of Appeal and, in 1979, to the Supreme Court. He became the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in 1995, a position he held until 2006.
One of his enduring legacies was the establishment of the National Judicial Council (NJC) in 1999. Since then, the NJC has ensured order and discipline in the judiciary and upheld merit in appointment of judicial officers. The Council was designed to insulate the judiciary from undue influence and interference from other arms of government. It was equally intended to oversee the career path of judges and strengthen judicial independence and accountability.
The late jurist was equally credited with landmark rulings, many of which fortified electoral jurisprudence in the country. He used his position to advance the rule of law and uphold citizens’ democratic rights.
Even in retirement, Uwais offered himself for service to the country. In August 2007, the then President Umaru Yar’Adua set up a 22-man committee headed by Justice Uwais to undertake a review of the electoral system and suggest ways of reforming it. In the committee were Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Justice Godwin U. Ononiba, Alhaji Musiliu A.K. Smith, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, Dr. Sheikh Ahmed Lemu, Prof. Attahiru M. Jega, Prof. Grace A. Alele-Williams, Dr. Jibrin Ibrahim, Prof. Okon E. Uya, Gen. Oladayo Popoola, Festus Okoye, Msgr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, and Prof. Philip T. Ahire, among others.
After extensive work, the committee concluded its job in December 2008, after an extension of the initial one-year deadline on account of the massive number of memoranda received. The report was considered thorough, exhaustive and adequate response to the problems besetting the growth of democracy and political development in the country. In its 254-page report, the committee made recommendations to transform the economy so as to improve the welfare and well-being of Nigerians and thus restore their confidence in government and governance. It also recommended reduction of political parties to between two and seven.
To strengthen the electoral umpire, it recommended among others: Constitutional amendments that would insulate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from the political influences of the executive arm of government in terms of its composition and funding. The Committee recommended that the power to appoint INEC board should be transferred from the President to the NJC while its funding was to be a first line charge on the Consolidated Revenue of the Federation.
It further suggested setting up Special Electoral Offences Commission to try electoral offenders; that no elected person should assume office until the case against him/her in the Tribunal or Court is disposed of; conducting presidential and gubernatorial elections on the same day at least six months before the expiration of the term of the current holders of the offices. It also proposed the unbundling of INEC’s powers, introduction of electronic voting and result transmission, and independent candidacy. Though successive administrations have not implemented the recommendations of the Committee, they remain the best in managing the country’s democracy and political system. Many Nigerians believe that faithful implementation of the report would have taken the country farther than its current state.
Deserving tributes have been pouring in for the departed CJN. President Bola Tinubu described him as a phenomenal jurist and statesman who served Nigeria with honor, courage, and exceptional integrity.
Also, the Attorney General of Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo, described Uwais as a true beacon of integrity, guiding the judiciary with grace and wisdom, adding that his tenure as the CJN from 1995 to 2006 fundamentally transformed the landscape of the nation’s legal system, laying a foundation that continues to resonate today. Professor of Law and human rights activist, Chidi Odinkalu, said that under Uwais, Nigerians voted the judiciary as the Man of the Year in 2006. No doubt, the late CJN will be solely missed by many Nigerians, his numerous friends and admirers. We commiserate with the family, the judiciary, Kaduna State government and Federal Government over the great loss.