The apex northern sociocultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has described late former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Muhammad Uwais as a jurist of repute whose wealth of experience will be greatly missed.
Reacting to Justice Uwais’ death in a telephone conversation with our Correspondent, ACF National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba said the Forum learnt the passing of the jurist with profound sadness, coming, just a day after the demise of another elder statement and towering figure in Arewa.
Muhammad-Baba said Justice Uwais was not just an eminent jurist, but was one of the finest in his profession and a proud product of Arewa.
He added that beyond that, Justice Uwais was a committed nationalist who contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria.
ACF recalled with nostalgia and a sense of pride that Justice Uwais was among the first crop of northerners encouraged to go to the United Kingdom to study and qualify as lawyers by the late Sardaunan Sokoto, Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello.
“That crop of lawyers to which Justice Uwais belonged were to return and pursue distinguished careers in the judiciary, many of whom rose to the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Like 3 or 4 others in the group, Justice Uwais was Chief Justice of the Federation for an admirable period of nine years.
“In mourning his demise, ACF actually celebrates today, the life and times of amiable and gentle justice, a trailblazing jurist of repute, statesman, nationalist, family man and leader,” Muhammad-Baba said.
He expressed condolences to his family, friends, professional colleagues, as well as the Government and people of the Federation and of Kaduna State.
ACF also prays that Almighty Allah rewards his good works, forgives his shortcomings, and grants the deceased Justice Uwais peaceful repose in Al-Jannah Firdaus.
LEADERSHIP reports that Justice Uwais death occurred just a dayb after the nation was thrown into mourning following the death of former Minister of Education, Professor Jubril Aminu.
