- As Supreme Court mourns the late Chief Justice
With profound sadness and immense reverence, the Mohammed L. Uwais Library of J-K Gadzama LLP mourns the passing of a towering jurist, a constitutional colossus, and a beacon of judicial integrity, the late Honourable Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, GCON, former Chief Justice of Nigeria.
At the venerable age of 89, Justice Uwais transitioned from this earthly realm on Friday in Abuja, leaving behind a legacy that will echo through the annals of Nigerian legal history for generations to come. His service to the Nigerian judiciary spanned decades, but it was his eleven-year tenure as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1995 to 2006 that firmly etched his name in gold.
Justice Uwais was more than a judge. He was a visionary reformer, a principled statesman, and an intellectual of the highest order. Under his stewardship, the Supreme Court became a citadel of legal reasoning, courage, and independence. He led with quiet dignity and spoke through his judgments, eloquent, piercing, and always anchored in justice.
Beyond the bench, his leadership of the Electoral Reform Committee further revealed his unflinching commitment to democratic ideals. His report, often cited as a roadmap to credible elections, showed a jurist unafraid to challenge the status quo for the greater good of the nation.
The Mohammed L. Uwais Library, bearing his name, stands as a testament to his dedication to legal scholarship and the advancement of jurisprudence. We are deeply honored to carry his legacy forward, one built not on personal glory, but on tireless service to justice and the rule of law.
To those of us privileged to study his life and work, Justice Uwais was the embodiment of quiet brilliance, ethical fortitude, and unfaltering patriotism. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled, but his legacy lights the path for all who believe in the nobility of the law.
Our thoughts are with his family, the Nigerian Bar and Bench, and the nation he served with such distinction. May his noble soul find rest among the righteous.
Adieu, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais.
Your light shall never dim.
JOINTLY SIGNED BY: Chief J-K Gadzama SAN (Founding Principal Partner) & John A. Nwafor, Ph.D, CLN, AESM, ITIL (Librarian)
The Supreme Court of Nigeria, where he served as the 9th Chief Justice, has also expressed its condolences to the family of His Lordship, who passed away in the early hours of Friday, June 6, 2025.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Dr Festus Akande.
The late Justice Uwais was the CJN from 1995 until his retirement in 2006, leaving behind a formidable legacy of judicial excellence and integrity, the statement noted.
Born on June 12, 1936 in Zaria, Kaduna State, Justice Uwais embarked on a remarkable journey in the legal profession.
He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple, London, in 1963 and quickly earned a reputation for his commitment to justice and fairness.
Over the decades, he held numerous influential positions within and outside the judiciary.
During his tenure as the CJN, he championed judicial reforms aimed at improving the administration of justice in Nigeria.
He was also instrumental in establishing the National Judicial Council, which plays a critical role in maintaining the independence and integrity of the judiciary.
The statement further noted that Justice Uwais was dedicated to advancing legal education and served as a mentor to many young lawyers and judges.
“The Supreme Court of Nigeria expresses its deepest condolences to the family of Justice Muhammadu Uwais, during this moment of grief.
“We honour his tireless dedication to the rule of law and the improvement of the Nigerian judiciary—values for which he will always be remembered.
“Hon. Justice Uwais’s professional achievements and unwavering commitment to justice have had a lasting impact on Nigeria’s legal landscape.
“He will be sorely missed by colleagues, friends, and the many lives he touched throughout his career,” the statement added.
