JUST IN: Former Chief Justice of Nigeria Dies

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (retd.), has died.

He passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at a hospital in Saudi Arabia, according to a close source who confirmed the development earlier in the day.

The death of the former head of the Nigerian judiciary was also confirmed in an official condolence statement issued by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), National Headquarters, Abuja.

In the statement dated December 16, 2025, NAMLAS described his passing as a monumental loss to the Nigerian judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim community, and the nation as a whole. The association expressed deep sorrow over his death, noting that he was a jurist who embodied integrity, humility, and a strong commitment to justice.

NAMLAS stated that throughout his judicial career, Justice Muhammad upheld the highest ideals of the Bench, including fairness, courage, and loyalty to the rule of law. It added that during his tenure as Chief Justice of Nigeria, he carried out his duties with wisdom and restraint, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to guide future generations of legal practitioners.

Beyond his service on the Bench, the association highlighted his role as a mentor, particularly to young Muslim law students across the country. According to NAMLAS, the late Chief Justice was a fatherly figure who consistently offered support, moral guidance, and encouragement, reflecting his belief in mentorship and the development of future custodians of justice.

The association extended condolences to his family, the Nigerian judiciary, the government, and the people of Nigeria, as well as the wider Muslim community. It 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.