Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (retd.), is dead

Justice Muhammad reportedly passed away on Tuesday at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

His death was confirmed in a condolence statement issued by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), National Headquarters, Abuja, dated December 16, 2025.

In the statement titled “NAMLAS Condolence Message on the Passing of Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria,” the association described his demise as a monumental loss to the nation.

“Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return,” the statement read.

NAMLAS said the former head of the Nigerian judiciary was a towering figure whose life and career were marked by integrity, humility and unwavering commitment to justice.

“The passing of Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, is a monumental loss to the Nigerian judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim Ummah and the nation at large,” the association said.

According to the group, Justice Muhammad exemplified the highest ideals of the Bench throughout his career, displaying fairness, courage and fidelity to the rule of law.

It added that he discharged his responsibilities with wisdom and restraint during his tenure as Chief Justice, leaving behind a legacy that would continue to guide future generations of legal practitioners.

Beyond his judicial duties, NAMLAS described the late jurist as a mentor and father figure to many young Muslim law students across the country.

“To NAMLAS, the late Chief Justice was more than a jurist; he was a fatherly pillar and a source of encouragement to Muslim law students nationwide,” the statement noted.

The association extended its condolences to the family of the deceased, the Nigerian judiciary, the Federal Government and the Muslim Ummah, while praying for the repose of his soul.

Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad served in the judiciary for decades and rose to the highest judicial office in the country, playing key roles in shaping Nigeria’s legal and constitutional development.