President Bola Tinubu has described former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais, who died on Friday at 89, as a phenomenal jurist and statesman.
Tinubu in a statement issued Friday said in active service and retirement, the late Uwais maintained a dignified persona, earning him respect beyond his immediate constituency.
He added: “Many remarkable highpoints hallmarked Justice Uwais’ illustrious career on the bench. He superintended the Judiciary at a challenging time in our history with tact, patience, and a sense of duty.
“This stabilising role helped usher in the current democratic dispensation, which he had the distinct honour of ushering in as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who swore in the elected president on May 29, 1999.
“In retirement, the federal government called upon Justice Uwais to head a panel to investigate the conduct of our elections. Given his pedigree and personal integrity, he was the right person for that onerous assignment.
“Not surprisingly, Justice Uwais led the panel to produce a critical report that contained a detailed prognosis of our electoral system.”