President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep grief over the loss of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, who died on Friday at the age of 88.
In a statement released on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President called the late judge a remarkable legal intellect and statesman who served Nigeria with unshakeable dignity, courage, and honesty.
“I join family members, friends, protégés, and all well-meaning Nigerians in mourning this respected patriot and statesman,” Tinubu stated, noting that Justice Uwais’ death coincided with the solemn observance of Eid-al-Adha.
Tinubu praised Justice Uwais’ excellent service, emphasising his crucial role during a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s history.
“Justice Uwais superintended the judiciary at a challenging time with tact, patience, and a deep sense of duty. He played a stabilising role that helped usher in the current democratic dispensation and had the honour of swearing in the elected president on May 29, 1999. Even in retirement, the late jurist remained an influential national figure,” Tinubu noted.
Tinubu recalled Uwais’ nomination as chairman of a federal panel on electoral reform, which he served with remarkable diligence and impartiality.
“He led the panel to produce a critical report with a detailed prognosis of our electoral system. His recommendations continue to influence Nigeria’s democratic reforms,” the president said.
Tinubu lauded Uwais’ long-standing dignity and respect in legal and public service circles, characterising him as “a colossus who left behind a legacy of principled leadership.”
“May God Almighty accept his soul and grant him eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus,” he prayed.
The president expressed his sympathies to the Uwais family, the government and people of Kaduna State, and the entire Nigerian judiciary.
