Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, has passed away. A close source confirmed to SaharaReporters on Tuesday morning that the retired CJN died at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.
An official condolence statement by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), National Headquarters, Abuja, dated December 16, 2025, confirmed his death.
In their message titled, *“NAMLAS Condolence on the Passing of Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON”*, the association described his demise as a major loss to the Nigerian judiciary, legal profession, Muslim community, and the nation.
The statement said, **“Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return.”** It further praised Justice Muhammad as a “towering figure of integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to justice.”
Throughout his distinguished judicial career, including his tenure as Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammad exemplified fairness, courage, and fidelity to the rule of law. NAMLAS commended him for his wise and restrained leadership, leaving behind a legacy inspiring future generations of legal practitioners.
Beyond the bench, he was revered as a mentor, especially among young Muslim law students nationwide. The association described him as “a fatherly pillar and source of encouragement,” who demonstrated deep commitment to nurturing future custodians of justice through support and guidance.
NAMLAS extended heartfelt condolences to his family, the Nigerian judiciary, the government and people of Nigeria, and the entire Muslim Ummah.
The statement concluded with prayers for his soul: “May Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, and grant him the highest abode in Jannatul Firdaus.”
Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad’s decades-long service and leadership in Nigeria’s judiciary marked defining moments in the nation’s legal history, leaving a lasting impact on the administration of justice.
