By Sodiq Adelakun

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, describing his passing as a painful loss to the nation and the judiciary.

Justice Tanko Muhammad reportedly died in the early hours of Tuesday, December 16, 2025, just weeks before his 72nd birthday.

In a statement signed by the Secretary of the NJC, Ahmed Gambo, Justice Kekere-Ekun commiserated with the family of the late jurist, the government and people of Bauchi State, and the Nigerian judiciary at large.

The CJN noted that although death is painful, the judiciary is consoled by the enduring legacy of hard work, honesty and dedication left behind by the former head of the Nigerian judiciary.

She described Justice Muhammad as a devout Muslim and highly respected jurist who exemplified the finest ideals of the Bench, noting that his career was marked by courage, integrity and unwavering commitment to justice.

Justice Muhammad served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from 2006 to 2022 and held office as Chief Justice of Nigeria from 2019 until his resignation in June 2022 due to ill health.

Born in Bauchi State, the late jurist was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981 and began his judicial career in 1982. He served as Chief Magistrate of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory between 1989 and 1991 before his appointment as a judge of the Bauchi State Sharia Court of Appeal.

In 1993, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal and later appointed to the Supreme Court, where he rose to become the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, on behalf of the entire judiciary, extended condolences to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the government and people of Bauchi State, the immediate family of the deceased, members of the legal profession and the wider Nigerian public.

She prayed that Almighty Allah grant the family the strength to bear the irreparable loss and that the late jurist’s legacy of humility, integrity and service to justice would continue to inspire the nation.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Nigeria also confirmed the death of Justice Tanko Muhammad in a statement issued by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Festus Akande.

The apex court described him as a jurist whose tenure was defined by a firm commitment to the rule of law, judicial independence and fair administration of justice, noting that his contributions left a lasting imprint on Nigeria’s legal system.

According to the statement, Justice Muhammad played a significant role in strengthening the appellate system, improving procedural efficiency, promoting judicial capacity building and fostering transparency and accountability within the judiciary.

He is survived by members of his family and a grateful legal community.