J. S. Okutepa, SAN, Legal expert and Rights Advocate
An erudite jurist of note and impeccable character. He was a good judicial officer. He was humane and humble. Justice under the watch of his lordship as CJN was delivered without caricature adjudications that produced no justice in judgments.
The judiciary under his lordship as CJN acted as the watchdog and checks against executive rascality and excesses. The legal community has lost a great jurist. The judiciary has lost one of its finest jurists. His lordship left legacies and footprints in the legal and democratic space in Nigeria. He made recommendations that were to deepen democratic sustainability and growth in Nigeria. We all remembered Uwais’ report gathering dust in Nigerian archives.
We have lost a father and a mentor in the legal profession. May the soul of Hon Mr Justice M.L. Uwais CJN, as he then was, now of blessed memory, find rest in paradise, amen. My condolences to all of us.
Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, Life Bencher, Past General Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association, recalls the formative impact of Justice Uwais’s courtroom—an arena of discipline, intellectual rigour, and fairness.
“Each time I stood before him, I felt the weight of justice and the privilege of practice. Justice Uwais had a calming presence, yet his piercing questions taught me never to approach my cases with anything less than full preparation.
“The news of the passing of Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais struck me like a heavy blow to the chest. I am grieved—deeply so—not just because we lost a jurist of matchless pedigree, but because I lost a mentor, a judicial father figure, and a constant north in my legal journey.
“Justice Uwais was not merely a judge; he was the conscience of the Bench. His judgments were luminous with wisdom, his courtroom—a temple of justice. But more than that, he was kind. He respected young lawyers, he never talked down on us.
“He helped me find courage in the profession. He made me believe that dignity and humility could sit on the same bench.
“I will miss him. The legal profession will miss him. Nigeria will miss him. But I am consoled that his light will never dim—it lives on in the body of laws he helped shape, and in all of us who learned at his feet.
“May Almighty Allah (SWT) accept his return, grant him Jannatul Firdaus, and comfort his family. A towering light has gone out, but the path he illuminated will guide us forever.”
Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko SAN:
“I bear witness by Allah to whom my soul shall return at His pleasure that Justice Uwais was dignity and integrity personified both on and off the bench. I will forever cherish the blessing of my path crossing his for my own good .”
Narrating an encounter with the famous jurist, Mr. Samaila Mohammed wrote: “In 2003, Dr. Suleiman Ismaila Nchi and I had the honor of visiting the office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, at the Supreme Court of Nigeria. We were warmly welcomed and ushered in to meet him.
“After the usual pleasantries and introductions, he inquired about the purpose of our visit. We shared that we were the authors of the book titled Islamic Personal Law and Practice in Nigeria, published in 1999, which we intended as an introductory text for undergraduates in Nigerian universities.
“However, we expressed our concern upon noticing that justices of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court were citing our book in their Shari’ah Panels, using it to support or challenge their decisions and judgments. We humbly requested that he advise his justices to discontinue this practice, as we did not consider ourselves knowledgeable enough in Islamic Law to serve as authorities for their judgments.
“Justice Uwais listened to us with great attention and respect. He thoughtfully responded that until we could provide a more suitable text, it would be best to allow the justices to continue using what was available and informative. His humility and openness to our concerns were truly remarkable for someone of his stature.
“As we mourn the loss of such a distinguished jurist, we remember Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais not only for his contributions to the legal field but also for his exemplary character.”
Worgu Boms, One-time Attorney General of Rivers State
Perhaps, Nigeria’s Longest Chief Justice!
My first appearances at the Supreme Court were with him as CJN. Indeed, he presided over my very first appearance before that awe-inspiring Court and I remember vividly, he, presiding, telling my colleague on the other side during my colleague’s oral argument, that the court would like to hear his view on the issue I addressed on a particular paragraph of my Brief ( He called out the paragraph number).
At that point, I discerned I had won- my colleague avoided it in his brief of argument, and I noticed the avoidance- and I was right!
At 88, my Lord, like King David, must have been pleased with his years! Uwais, actually Uwaisu, but anglicised to Uwais, according to his Biographer, Ekong, made major, imperishable contributions to our Corpus, and to the administration of Justice generally: the NJC, as some know, was his brainchild.
In a quasi-judicial function in Port Harcourt, sometime in the beginning of the 2000s, (I was in his audience), my Lord misstated a narrative of a major issue- not on law, please- and someone quickly rushed in to properly inform and correct him, behind the microphone.
He immediately corrected himself and was, from his mien and countenance, genuinely and proudly grateful in his appreciation for the one and stated it correctly with equally genuine respect and regret to the audience. That was Uwais- humble, yet very strong in intellect.
Once during his retirement, I met him on a flight and moved close to greet him. He did not leave it at just a greeting- he made me chat with him. It was a long flight to the UAE. I referenced that matter, and he said he remembered and even said something about me that day that made me know he actually remembered.
Justice Uwais, with all his faults and failings, which confirm his humanity as all of us are and have, was the kind of person I personally admire and love: Strong in intellect and still, extremely humble, realistic and down to earth. Martin Luther King Jnr was right: ” No man is complete, unless he has, contained in himself, antithesis strongly marked.”
Adieu, Great Interpreter of our Law as Chief Justice. Legal prosperity will be kind to you. You have played your part, WELL.
We Give Glory.
My name’s WorguBoms
