By Deborah Nnamdi
Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, is dead. He was 71.
Muhammad reportedly died on Tuesday at a hospital in Saudi Arabia, about two weeks before his 72nd birthday on December 31. A source close to the family confirmed that the retired jurist passed away in the Kingdom, where he had been receiving medical care.
The death of the former head of the Nigerian judiciary was also confirmed by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado. The governor described Muhammad as a patriotic Nigerian who devoted his life to the service of justice and the advancement of the nation.
“Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad exemplified the qualities of a patriotic Nigerian who devoted his life to the service of justice and the advancement of our great nation. His passing is a significant loss, not only to Bauchi State but to the Nigerian judiciary and the rule of law,” the statement said.
The Nigeria Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), National Headquarters, Abuja, also mourned the former Chief Justice in a condolence statement dated December 16, 2025, describing his death as a monumental loss to the judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim community, and the country at large.
“Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return,” the association said, noting that Justice Muhammad was a towering figure of integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to justice. NAMLAS said he exemplified the highest ideals of the Bench, including fairness, courage, and fidelity to the rule of law, and that his tenure as Chief Justice was marked by wisdom, restraint, and a lasting legacy of service.
The association further highlighted his role as a mentor to young Muslim law students, describing him as a fatherly figure whose guidance, encouragement, and openness to their aspirations reflected his belief in mentorship and the nurturing of future custodians of justice. It extended condolences to his family, the Nigerian judiciary, the government, and the Muslim Ummah, while offering prayers for the repose of his soul.
Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad served the Nigerian judiciary for decades, rising through the ranks to become Chief Justice before his retirement. His career was marked by landmark decisions and contributions that shaped Nigeria’s legal landscape during periods of significant national challenges.
