Former Chief Justice Of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, Dies at 71 years
The Honourable, The Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, National Judicial Council, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, commiserates with the family of the retired Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, who passed on today at 71 years.
In a press release issued by the National Judicial Council, His Lordship expressed deep condolences to the family and the people of Bauchi State over the death of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council.
Although death is a painful reality, we are nevertheless consoled by the fact that His Lordship left a legacy of handwork, honesty and dedication to work.
The late Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, who would have been 72 years by 31st December 2025, was a devout Muslim, a respected Jurist, who was courageous with exemplified highest ideals of the Bench. He served as the Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from 2006 to 2022 and as the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 2019 until his resignation in June 2022 on ground of ill-health.
Hon Justice Tanko began his career in 1982, after he was called to the bar in 1981, the same year he graduated from the Nigerian Law School. In 1989, he was appointed as Chief Magistrate of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, a position he held until 1991 when he became a Judge at the Bauchi State Sharia Court of Appeal. He served in that capacity for two years before he was appointed to the Bench of the Court of Appeal in 1993.
On behalf of the entire Judiciary, The Honourable, The Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, National Judicial Council, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, condole with His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the people and Government of Bauchi State, the immediate family of the late former CJN, the Nigerian Judiciary and the entire Legal Community, I pray Almighty Allah to grant His Lordship and the rest members of his family, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Amen!
Yours sincerely,
Ahmed Gambo Saleh, Esq.
SECRETARY
Posted on: Tue, 16th Dec, 2025