Nigeria, June 6 -- A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Uwais, is dead.

Mr Uwais, 89, died on Friday, according to a statement by President Bola Tinubu.

Mr Uwais was the chief justice when Nigeria transitioned to a democracy in 1999 after almost two decades of military rule.

In his statement, Mr Tinubu described Mr Uwais as a colossus.

"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Uwais family, the government and the people of Kaduna State, as well as the members of the Nigerian Judiciary, over the death of this colossus," the president wrote.

Read the president's full statement below.

IN JUSTICE UWAIS, NIGERIA LOST A PHENOMENAL JURIST, STATESMAN

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Lawal Uwais, who died on Friday a...