Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, has passed away at the age of 71.
The retired head of the Nigerian judiciary reportedly died in a hospital in Saudi Arabia, just weeks before his 72nd birthday, which would have been marked on December 31.
His death was confirmed on Tuesday in Abuja by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students in a condolence message.
In the statement, the association expressed deep grief over the loss, describing Justice Muhammad’s passing as a significant blow to the nation.
“Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return,” NAMLAS said in the statement titled ‘Condolence Message on the Passing of Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria.’
The group added, “The Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students, National Headquarters, Abuja, received with profound sorrow the news of the passing of Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON.”
According to NAMLAS, the former CJN’s death has left a major gap in Nigeria’s legal system.
“His demise is a monumental loss to the Nigerian judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim Ummah and the country at large,” the association stated.
Justice Muhammad, who served as Chief Justice of Nigeria until his retirement, was noted for his decades-long career on the bench and contributions to the administration of justice in the country.
