Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, has died at the age of 71. The former head of the nation’s judiciary passed away at a hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, approximately two weeks before his 72nd birthday on December 31.
His death was formally announced in a condolence statement issued on Tuesday by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS) in Abuja.
In its statement, titled “NAMLAS Condolence Message on the Passing of Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria,” the association expressed profound sorrow, describing his demise as a significant loss for the judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim community, and the entire nation.
“Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return,” the statement began. “His demise is a monumental loss to the Nigerian judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim Ummah, and the nation at large.”
Justice Tanko Muhammad served as the 16th Chief Justice of Nigeria from July 2019 until his voluntary resignation in June 2022. His passing marks the end of an era for the Nigerian legal system.
