•A long-serving jurist departs
As Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) from 2019 to 2022, Tanko Muhammad faced an internal protest unprecedented in the history of the Supreme Court, which cast a shadow over his long judicial career.
Under his leadership, 14 Justices of the Supreme Court signed a protest letter, which was leaked to the public, complaining about their working conditions. Their grievances included non-replacement of aging vehicles, chronic accommodation shortages, and a lack of essential drugs at the Court clinic.
Furthermore, they highlighted systemic operational failures, including unreliable power supply, the rising cost of diesel without a corresponding increase in allowances, and the absence of internet services in both their residences and chambers.
Further administrative lapses included the failure to sign amended Rules of Court for nearly three years, the suspension of essential annual foreign workshops and training, and the failure to provide the Justices with qualified legal assistants.
Particularly striking was the disclosure that the Justices were served with an internal memo, that electricity would be supplied to the Court between the hours of 8am and 4pm daily due to a shortage of diesel. But the Justices required electricity to work at home after closing at 4pm because of the policy; and they needed improved diesel allowance in the face of a huge diesel price hike. Also, the Justices needed restoration of their monthly internet allowance as they required uninterrupted internet service for access to online material to write judgments.
The situation was inconceivable, particularly its effect not only on the Justices but also the justice system: it amounted to the slow strangulation of the Supreme Court.
In response, Justice Muhammad established a welfare committee to investigate these issues. The problems were attributed to poor funding. Delay in releasing funds to back the Supreme Court budget, which had frozen at N110bn since 2018, was said to be a major factor.
Amid the intense crisis, he resigned abruptly on health grounds in June 2022, leaving the issues unresolved. He exited 18 months before his scheduled retirement at age 70 in December 2023.
His passing in Saudi Arabia on December 16, at the age of 71, occurred approximately three and a half years after his resignation. President Bola Tinubu, in a posthumous tribute, described him as “an eminent jurist whose life was devoted to the cause of justice and the strengthening of Nigeria’s judiciary.” The Supreme Court of Nigeria noted his “dedication to the rule of law, judicial independence, and the fair administration of justice during his tenure.”
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He hailed from Bauchi State, and studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1976 to 1980. He earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in Law from the same university.
He began his judicial career as Magistrate Grade II in 1982 with Bauchi State Judiciary. He was appointed as the Provost, College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Bauchi in 1986. He became Chief Magistrate/Deputy Chief Registrar, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in 1990, and from 1991 to 1993, he served as a Kadi (Judge) of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Bauchi State.
After his elevation to the position of Justice of the Court of Appeal in 1993, he was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2006. He became acting CJN in January 2019. Muhammad was in July 2019 sworn in as the substantive 18th CJN by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He succeeded Justice Walter Onnoghen, who had been suspended from office amid allegations of corrupt practices.
Following his sudden resignation, the President conferred the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on him in October 2022.
Ultimately, the enduring lesson from his tenure at the pinnacle of judicial power is that a robust and effective system of justice requires providing judicial officers with the necessary conditions to thrive.
