Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, has passed away at a hospital in Saudi Arabia. The 71-year-old retired judge died on Tuesday, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, humility, and commitment to justice.
Muhammad served Nigeria’s judiciary for decades, rising to the highest judicial office in the country and shaping key moments in the nation’s legal history.
The Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS) described his death as a monumental loss to the Nigerian judiciary, legal profession, Muslim Ummah, and the nation at large.
“He exemplified the highest ideals of the Bench—fairness, courage, and fidelity to the rule of law,” NAMLAS said in a condolence statement.
Muhammad was known for his mentorship, particularly among young Muslim law students, and was described as a fatherly pillar and source of encouragement.
His support, moral guidance, and openness to the aspirations of young Muslim legal minds reflected his deep belief in mentorship and nurturing future custodians of justice.
