President Bola Tinubu has described the late Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, as a courageous jurist who exhibited exceptional integrity.
In a personal condolence message he penned, Tinubu said Uwais was a phenomenal jurist who served the country with honour.
Tinubu acknowledged with regret that the late jurist passed away on Friday, as Muslims marked Eid al-Adha.
Going down memory lane, Tinubu said many remarkable high points hallmarked Justice Uwais’ illustrious career on the bench, adding that he superintended the judiciary at a challenging time in our history with tact, patience, and a sense of duty.
He also noted that his stabilising role helped usher in the current democratic dispensation, which he had the distinct honour of inaugurating as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who swore in the elected president on 29 May 1999.
Tinubu recalled how, upon 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. In active service and retirement, the late Justice Uwais maintained a dignified persona, earning him respect beyond his immediate constituency,” Tinubu stated in his message mourning the late jurist.
