The legal profession in Nigeria mourns the passing of one of its brightest luminaries, Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais, GCON, a revered jurist, distinguished Chief Justice of Nigeria, and a pillar of integrity, whose legacy will continue to illuminate the corridors of justice for generations to come.
Brief Biography and Legal Legacy
Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais served as the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1995 to 2006, a period marked by judicial reforms, intellectual rigour, and the strengthening of institutional independence. He joined the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1979 and rose through the ranks with a reputation for clarity in legal reasoning, judicial boldness, and unwavering commitment to the rule of law.
Justice Uwais was the architect of several landmark decisions that shaped Nigerian jurisprudence. He chaired the Electoral Reform Committee in 2007, whose recommendations are still widely regarded as a blueprint for credible elections and democratic development in Nigeria.
Among the many lawyers who appeared before Justice Uwais during his tenure, Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, shares a deeply personal and professional connection. As a budding lawyer then, Aare recalls the formative impact of Justice Uwais’s courtroom—an arena of discipline, intellectual rigour, and fairness.
“Each time I stood before him, I felt the weight of justice and the privilege of practice. Justice Uwais had a calming presence, yet his piercing questions taught me never to approach my cases with anything less than full preparation,” Aare recalls.
Justice Uwais, though occupying the highest bench, never made young counsel feel small. His patience, warmth, and encouragement uplifted many, including Aare. During critical moments of his career, Justice Uwais extended support not just through judgment but also by quiet mentorship and inspiration.
The relationship between the two went beyond the courtroom. In many professional fora, Justice Uwais extended wise counsel and gave audience to reforms championed by younger leaders like Aare Akinboro. His respect for every rank of the Bar and his open-door style earned him affection across generations.
A Personal Tribute from Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN
_“The news of the passing of Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais struck me like a heavy blow to the chest. I am grieved—deeply so—not just because we lost a jurist of matchless pedigree, but because I lost a mentor, a judicial father figure, and a constant north in my legal journey.
Justice Uwais was not merely a judge; he was the conscience of the Bench. His judgments were luminous with wisdom, his courtroom—a temple of justice. But more than that, he was kind. He respected young lawyers, he never talked down on us.
He helped me find courage in the profession. He made me believe that dignity and humility could sit on the same bench.
I will miss him. The legal profession will miss him. Nigeria will miss him. But I am consoled that his light will never dim—it lives on in the body of laws he helped shape, and in all of us who learned at his feet.
May Almighty Allah (SWT) accept his return, grant him Jannatul Firdaus, and comfort his family. A towering light has gone out, but the path he illuminated will guide us forever.”_
Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, FCIArb (UK), FCIMC Life Bencher Past General Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association
Social Media Handles: @OlumuyiwaAkinboro | @OlumuyiwaAkinboro | @MuyiwaAkinboro
