Some senior lawyers in Nigeria have continued to pay glowing tribute to former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), late Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais who died on Friday.
The lawyers, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) and anti-corruption lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN), all described the late CJN as upright, incorruptible and an erudite jurist well-versed in law.
In his tribute, Agbakoba said the deceased was a gentleman par excellence, who joined the Supreme Court at a young age and became one of its longest-serving Justices.
He also stated that Justice Uwais was part of the old school of Supreme Court Justices, alongside notable figures like Aniagolu, Eso, Idigbe, Obaseki, Nnamani and Oputa.
The senior lawyer noted that Justice Uwais was famed for his frugality and accountability with judicial funds, who famously returned N5 billion to the federal government.
In his own tribute, Adegboruwa praised the late justice, the longest-serving jurist in the Supreme Court, for using his vast experience to foster unity within the bench and bar.
The human rights lawyer said his distinguished service culminated in a pivotal report on electoral reforms aimed at sanitising Nigeria’s political space.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to honour his legacy by revisiting the Uwais Panel Report on the reform of INEC and implementing its recommendations.
On his part, Shittu reflected on the significance of Justice Uwais’s passing.
The university lecturer said, “Former Chief Justice Mohammed Uwais chose an auspicious time to leave this world. He passed away on Eid Mubarak, a Friday remarkable for Juma’h prayers for Muslims globally.
“This timing could reflect the good character he demonstrated in life. He was indeed one of our finest jurists. However, what stands out about his passing is not just this coincidence but the principles he advocated throughout his life.
Owonikoko described the late jurist as a man of dignity and integrity who was the only Justice of the Supreme Court to openly declare his assets from his days at elementary school, with details of his Bank account, starting from Barclays Bank DCO till his retirement in 2006 on reaching the mandatory age of 70 years.
