Former Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad dies in Saudi Arabia after a brief illness

Mr Muhammad reportedly passed away on Tuesday at a hospital in Saudi Arabia after a brief illness. His death was confirmed in a condolence statement issued by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), which described him as a prominent jurist and elder statesman of the Nigerian judiciary.

“Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return,” the association said, announcing the passing of the former head of Nigeria’s judiciary.

Born in 1953 in Giade Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Mr Muhammad rose through the ranks of the judiciary to become Nigeria’s 17th Chief Justice. His appointment in 2019 followed the controversial suspension of his predecessor, Walter Onnoghen, by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Muhammad initially served in an acting capacity before his confirmation by the Senate later that year. His elevation came at a politically sensitive period for the judiciary, with debates over executive influence and judicial independence dominating public discourse.

He remained in office until June 2022, when he abruptly resigned, citing health challenges. The resignation came about 18 months before his expected retirement in December 2023 and surprised many within legal and political circles.

A tenure overshadowed by internal crisis

Mr Muhammad’s exit from office followed serious allegations raised by 14 of his colleagues on the Supreme Court bench. In a petition that later became public, the justices accused him of administrative failure and conduct unbecoming of the office of Chief Justice.

The justices alleged that he failed to adequately manage the court’s finances, including the welfare of judicial officers and basic operational needs such as electricity for the Supreme Court complex. They also accused him of moral impropriety, claims that sparked widespread debate within the legal community.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, no formal judicial inquiry was concluded before his resignation. The Senate had vowed to investigate the matter even after he stepped down, but the process did not progress to a definitive resolution.

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Mr Muhammad left office without publicly responding in detail to the accusations, and the controversy continued to cast a shadow over the final years of his judicial career.

Before becoming Chief Justice, Mr Muhammad served in various judicial capacities, including as a Justice of the Supreme Court, where he participated in several landmark rulings.

His death marks the end of a consequential chapter in Nigeria’s judicial history, defined by both institutional leadership and internal conflict. Funeral arrangements are yet to be formally announced by the family.