Nigeria, Dec. 16 -- Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Tanko Muhammad is dead.

He was aged 71.

Born in Giade Local Government Area of Bauchi State in 1953, Mr Muhammad would have clocked 72 in 15 days' time, on 31 December.

Sources within the judiciary confirmed Mr Tanko's death to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday.

The Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS) similarly confirmed the ex-CJN's death in a statement on Tuesday.

Although details of his death are still sketchy as of press time, he was said to have died of an ailment. The nature of the ailment has yet to be confirmed.

His death came nearly three and a half years after he abruptly resigned from office on health grounds on 27 June 2022.

His resignation in June 2022 w...