Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Tanko Muhammad has died at the age of 71.
Mr Muhammad was born in Giade Local Government Area of Bauchi State in 1953 and would have turned 72 on December 31.
Sources within the judiciary confirmed his death to Premium Times on Tuesday.
The Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS) also confirmed the ex-CJN’s death in a statement.
Details of his death are still limited, but he was reported to have died of an ailment while receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia.
Mr Muhammad resigned from office on June 27, 2022, citing health reasons.
His resignation came nearly three and a half years after he assumed the role of Chief Justice in January 2019 following the suspension of his predecessor, Walter Onnoghen.
He left office 18 months before his scheduled retirement at age 70.
During his tenure, Mr Muhammad served as the 17th Chief Justice of Nigeria.
His exit coincided with a crisis in the Supreme Court, as 14 of his colleagues accused him of failing to support the operations of the court, including funding judges’ welfare and essential services.
A leaked memo from the Justices outlining these concerns surfaced online shortly before his death.
In a condolence message, NAMLAS described his death as a significant loss to the judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim community and the nation.
The association said, “His demise is a monumental loss to the Nigerian judiciary, the legal profession, the Muslim Ummah, and the nation at large. As Chief Justice of Nigeria, he discharged his responsibilities with wisdom and restraint, leaving behind a legacy of service that will continue to guide generations of legal practitioners.”
The association highlighted his mentorship of young Muslim law students across Nigeria, describing him as “more than a jurist; he was a fatherly pillar and a source of encouragement.”
Tanko Muhammad is survived by his family.
Further details about funeral arrangements have not been released.
