December 16, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, is dead.
A close source confirmed on Tuesday morning that the former head of the Nigerian judiciary passed away at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.
“Ex-CJN Tanko Muhammad is dead. He passed away this morning at a Saudi Arabian hospital,” the source said.
His death was also confirmed in a condolence statement issued by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), National Headquarters, Abuja, dated December 16, 2025.
In the statement titled “NAMLAS Condolence Message on the Passing of Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria,” the association described his death as a major loss to the country.
“Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return,” the statement read.
NAMLAS said the late jurist was a major figure in Nigeria’s judiciary and legal profession, noting that he served with integrity and commitment to the rule of law throughout his career.
Justice Muhammad served Nigeria’s judiciary for decades and rose to the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria before his retirement. His tenure, according to the association, left a lasting impact on the judiciary and the legal profession in the country.
