TRIBUTE

SALUTE TO A MONOLITH OF GREATNESS – Tribute to Hon. Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, GCON (1936–2025).

On Friday, 6th June 2025, as the country woke up to the celebration of the Eid el Adha, the sad news of the eclipse of an era in our legal history, the loss of a collosus in our judicial landscape broke. The quintessential Hon. Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, had just transitioned to eternity, days to his 89th birthday!

I recall vividly the first time I appeared at the Supreme Court of Nigeria. It was sometimes in 2003. I had the uncommon privilege of being led on that occasion by the debonair at law and courtroom pugilist, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN. My Lord, Justice Uwais was then the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and he presided over the panel that heard the appeal. Watching his Lordship in that hallowed courtroom filled me with an admixture of awe and admiration—not just for his Lordship’s elegant gait in stature, but for his all-around graces demonstrated in his composure, command and mastery of proceedings. He reminded me instantly of that timeless quote often attributed to Socrates: “Four things belong to a judge—to hear courteously, to answer wisely, to consider soberly, and to decide impartially.” Justice Uwais embodied all four. He was courteous yet firm.

Of course, I made several other appearances at the apex court during his time as CJN, mostly as a junior appearing with and learning the ropes under the guardianship of Chief Olanipekun, SAN. His knowledge of law was beyond deep, and his commitment to the faithful application of legal principles was legendary. His judgments were legally sound just as they were and still are models of clarity, logic, and precision. Without any argument, they remain a testament to meticulous research and a mind deeply attuned to justice.

As the longest-serving Justice of the Supreme Court and second-longest-serving Chief Justice, he left a body of work that will instruct, inspire, and guide generations of lawyers and judges.

The late Justice Uwais was an amiable, thorough, firm and emotionally stable personality whose leadership impacted greatly on the administration of the apex court in his days as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. Even in retirement, his chairmanship of the Electoral Reform Committee reaffirmed his enduring commitment to institutional integrity and democratic progress.

In Justice Uwais, we saw the best of the Bench: incorruptible, humble, forthright, and decent. Nigeria is better for his service.

May his noble soul find eternal rest, and may his legacy continue to light the path for all who seek justice in truth and fairness.

Chief Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, SAN

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