By Abubakar Imam

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has commiserated with the nation’s legal community on the death of a former Chief Justice of Nigeria,  Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais, GCON. Justice Uwais, who died penultimate Friday (June 6, 2025), was the Chief Justice of Nigeria between 1995 and 2006.

            In a statement signed by the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, the Vice Chancellor described the late Justice Uwais as an outstanding jurist and a phenomenal statesman who served the nation and humanity with absolute dedication and in several capacities for many decades.

            The Vice Chancellor, who is a Professor of Jurisprudence and International Law and a renowned legal luminary, added that Justice Uwais’ tenure as the nation’s number one judicial officer was not only very long but also fruitful with a lot of accomplishments.

            Prof. Egbewole, who is the Secretary-General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), said that the tenure of the late Justice Uwais as the Chief Justice of Nigeria would continue to be celebrated for so many positive developments, which deepened the nation’s jurisprudence.

            The Vice Chancellor also recalled Justice Uwais’ contributions to national development after his retirement from the bench, particularly as the Chairman of the Electoral Reform Committee, which was constituted by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, GCFR, in 2007.             He said that the reports of the Committee stood him and other members of the Committee out as genuine patriots who wanted the nation’s democracy to continue to grow.

            He added that Nigeria would miss the counsel and forthrightness of the late jurist, particularly at this period when all hands ought to be on deck towards rescuing the nation from its contemporary challenges.

Prof. Egbewole commiserated with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and the other colleagues of Justice Uwais on the bench of the highest court in the land on the sad loss of an illustrious predecessor. He also commiserated with the people and government of Kaduna State and particularly members of his immediate family.

While praying to Allah to console all the bereaved, the Vice Chancellor prayed for the forgiveness of his shortcomings and the admission of his soul to Aljanat Fridaouz.