Nigeria’s legal community has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (retd.). He passed away on Tuesday morning at a hospital in Saudi Arabia, a close source confirmed.
“Ex-CJN Tanko Muhammad is dead. He passed away this morning at a Saudi Arabian hospital,” the source told SaharaReporters.
His death was also officially confirmed by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), National Headquarters, Abuja, in a condolence statement dated December 16, 2025. The association described his passing as a profound loss to the nation.
“Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return,” the statement read.
According to NAMLAS, Justice Muhammad’s death represents “a monumental loss to the Nigerian judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim Ummah, and the nation at large.” The association praised the late jurist as a towering figure known for his integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to justice.
Throughout his distinguished judicial career, Justice Muhammad was said to have embodied the finest values of the Bench, including fairness, courage, and loyalty to the rule of law. As Chief Justice of Nigeria, he was described as leading with wisdom and restraint, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of legal practitioners.
Beyond his official duties, NAMLAS highlighted his deep commitment to mentorship, particularly among young Muslim law students across the country. The association noted that he was not just a jurist, but a fatherly figure whose encouragement, guidance, and openness nurtured the aspirations of future legal minds.
“He believed strongly in mentorship, continuity, and preparing the next custodians of justice,” the statement added.
NAMLAS extended its condolences to Justice Muhammad’s family, the Nigerian judiciary, the government, and the people of Nigeria, as well as the Muslim Ummah worldwide. The association also offered prayers for the repose of his soul, asking Allah to forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, and grant him the highest place in Jannatul Firdaus.
Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad served Nigeria’s judiciary for decades and rose to the highest judicial office in the land, leaving behind a career that shaped important chapters in the nation’s legal history.
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