TRIBUTE TO CHIEF GANI FAWEHINMI (SAN)
The rule of law is the bastion of democratic stability in any nation. Lawyers must ensure that the law not only rules but that it is also seen to rule. And the law can only rule if everybody is brought under the law and nobody is made to be above the law. The sae law must apply to the rich and to the poor alike, the highly placed and the lowly placed, the powerful and the weak.
Gani Fawehinmi: The Way the Law Should Go
A book or presentation on the history of human rights, social justice, activism, honesty, non-violent protest, democracy, selfless service to humanity, passion, patriotism and above all courage in Nigeria cannot be completed without a chapter devoted to the great ICON, human rights advocate, crusader, advocate of peace, social justice and a believer in equity, Chief Abdul-Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi, the very Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM) and also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
He is one Nigeria that needs no introduction due to his consistency in the fight against oppressive policies. Our dear Gani spent over 40 years of his life using the court rooms, pen and his voice in fighting injustice and all that epitomised corruption, bad governance, oppression and discrimination. He travelled the breath and length of this country to defend the indigent, victim of oppressive government and to give voice to the voiceless, in the process he was brutalized, harassed, arrested, thrown into prison and attempts were made to eliminate him. Gani was never afraid to criticise, sue or even stand alone in any national issue-for every government that had ruled Nigeria and had made policies or taken decisions that were anti-people Gani was always there to speak on behalf of the people and to make the people voice out their thoughts on the issue. Because of his versed knowledge of the law and near perfect interpretation of situation, he became an institution and most often referred to as an authority.
As a lawyer, Gani was a primus inter pares. He used the instrumentality of law to advocate for the rights of the people by challenging oppressive policies of government. He provided free legal services to indigent citizens of this country. As a human rights activist Gani was in the class of his own. He was the biggest headache for successive military governments and was imprisoned severally for speaking for the voiceless. With his boundless energy he tenaciously and uncompromisingly pursued and crusaded his beliefs, principles and ideals for the untrammelled rule of law, undiluted democracy, all embracing and expansive social justice, protection of fundamental human rights and respect for the hopes and aspirations of the masses who are victims of mis-governance of the affairs of the Nation.
In his effort to ensure that we enjoy true democracy in Nigeria and to have political parties that reflect the will of the people through the party’s ideology, purpose, and mission and vision, he launched the National Conscience Party as a platform that will bring people from all walks of life to contribute to making the country great and giving all Nigerians a sense of belonging. Gani’s many years of selfless services endeared him to the Nigerian masses who gave him many accolades like "the scourge of irresponsible governments, a sphygmomanometer with which the blood pressure of dictators is gauged, the veritable conscience of the nation and the champion of the interests and causes of the masses.
Chief Gani, was a highly detribalised Nigerian and someone who cared less about ones religious belief, no wonder he gave scholarships to Nigerian students spread across various campuses yet he had never stolen money from government and never was counted among millionaires in the country. The advocate, Gani, was indeed a true patriot, a democrat, a comrade and the voice of the masses that would be sorely missed by us and even by “them”.
The rule of law is the bastion of democratic stability in any nation. Lawyers must ensure that the law not only rules but that it is also seen to rule. And the law can only rule if everybody is brought under the law and nobody is made to be above the law. The sae law must apply to the rich and to the poor alike, the highly placed and the lowly placed, the powerful and the weak.
Gani Fawehinmi: The Way the Law Should Go
A book or presentation on the history of human rights, social justice, activism, honesty, non-violent protest, democracy, selfless service to humanity, passion, patriotism and above all courage in Nigeria cannot be completed without a chapter devoted to the great ICON, human rights advocate, crusader, advocate of peace, social justice and a believer in equity, Chief Abdul-Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi, the very Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM) and also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
He is one Nigeria that needs no introduction due to his consistency in the fight against oppressive policies. Our dear Gani spent over 40 years of his life using the court rooms, pen and his voice in fighting injustice and all that epitomised corruption, bad governance, oppression and discrimination. He travelled the breath and length of this country to defend the indigent, victim of oppressive government and to give voice to the voiceless, in the process he was brutalized, harassed, arrested, thrown into prison and attempts were made to eliminate him. Gani was never afraid to criticise, sue or even stand alone in any national issue-for every government that had ruled Nigeria and had made policies or taken decisions that were anti-people Gani was always there to speak on behalf of the people and to make the people voice out their thoughts on the issue. Because of his versed knowledge of the law and near perfect interpretation of situation, he became an institution and most often referred to as an authority.
As a lawyer, Gani was a primus inter pares. He used the instrumentality of law to advocate for the rights of the people by challenging oppressive policies of government. He provided free legal services to indigent citizens of this country. As a human rights activist Gani was in the class of his own. He was the biggest headache for successive military governments and was imprisoned severally for speaking for the voiceless. With his boundless energy he tenaciously and uncompromisingly pursued and crusaded his beliefs, principles and ideals for the untrammelled rule of law, undiluted democracy, all embracing and expansive social justice, protection of fundamental human rights and respect for the hopes and aspirations of the masses who are victims of mis-governance of the affairs of the Nation.
In his effort to ensure that we enjoy true democracy in Nigeria and to have political parties that reflect the will of the people through the party’s ideology, purpose, and mission and vision, he launched the National Conscience Party as a platform that will bring people from all walks of life to contribute to making the country great and giving all Nigerians a sense of belonging. Gani’s many years of selfless services endeared him to the Nigerian masses who gave him many accolades like "the scourge of irresponsible governments, a sphygmomanometer with which the blood pressure of dictators is gauged, the veritable conscience of the nation and the champion of the interests and causes of the masses.
Chief Gani, was a highly detribalised Nigerian and someone who cared less about ones religious belief, no wonder he gave scholarships to Nigerian students spread across various campuses yet he had never stolen money from government and never was counted among millionaires in the country. The advocate, Gani, was indeed a true patriot, a democrat, a comrade and the voice of the masses that would be sorely missed by us and even by “them”.
ADIEU GANI!
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