The Nigerian judiciary and legal community are in mourning following the reported death of former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.
The news was confirmed to Sahara Reporters on Tuesday morning by a reliable source, who disclosed that the former CJN died while receiving treatment abroad.
“Ex-CJN Tanko Muhammad is dead. He passed away this morning at a Saudi Arabian hospital,” the source stated.
The Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), National Headquarters, released a formal condolence statement, dated December 16, 2025, characterizing his passing as a significant loss.
“Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return,” the statement read. “His demise is a monumental loss to the Nigerian judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim Ummah, and the nation at large.”
NAMLAS commended the retired jurist, highlighting that throughout his judicial career, he “exemplified the highest ideals of the Bench—fairness, courage, and fidelity to the rule of law.”
The association especially noted his role as a mentor: “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 across the country.”
Justice Muhammad dedicated decades to the Nigerian judiciary, ultimately ascending to the highest judicial office in the nation. He resigned as CJN in June 2022, citing health issues.
