A former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, is dead.

The 71-year-old former CJN reportedly died at a hospital in Saudi Arabia following a brief illness.

A statement by The Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS) confirmed the ex-CJN’s death on Tuesday.

“NAMLAS Condolence Message on the Passing of Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, Former Chief Justice of Nigeria,” the statement said. “Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return.”

Born in Giade Local Government Area of Bauchi State in 1953, Mr Muhammad became Nigeria’s 17th Chief Justice following the controversial suspension of his predecessor, Wlater Onnoghen, in 2019.

His death came nearly three and a half years after he abruptly tendered his resignation from the office in June 2022, citing health reasons. The former CJN’s resignation also came 18 months earlier than his scheduled retirement in December 2023.

Mr Muhammad’s exit from office followed damning allegations by his 14 colleagues on the Supreme Court bench who accused him of being irresponsible and morally decadent, adding he was hampering the operations of the court by failing to fund judges’ welfare as well as fuel generators, among others.

Despite the Senate vowing to probe the allegations even after his sudden resignation, Mr Muhammad left the office without the issues resolved.