Ganiyu Adeola Fawehinmi, (Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi) (1938-2009), was a Nigerian author, publisher, philanthropist, social critic, human and civil rights lawyer.
He was born on the 22nd of April 1938 in Ondo State, Nigeria, to Saheed and Ganiyat Fawehinmi. He was the 1st of his mother’s children, her only son and 3rd of his father’s. His father, Chief Saheed Tugbogbo was the Seriki Musulumi of Ondo and his grandfather, Chief Lisa Alujanu Fawehinmi was the spirit of the town as a result of his exploits in the 19tu century which resulted in Islam being practised in present-day Ondo.
Gani Fawehinmi had his primary education at Ansar-ud-deen Primary School in Iyemaja from 1947 to 1953. From 1954 to 1958, he had his secondary education at Victory College, Ikare under the leadership of Late Reverend Akinyele where he was known as “The nation” for his interest in national, legal and political affairs. Acting on the advice of the Reverend, he was urged to study law by his father. He went to Lagos where he worked as a high court clerk (his first paying job) for 2 years.
He then left for the United Kingdom in April 1961 where he enrolled at Holborn College of Law- the University of London in September, the same year. Two years into the course, Chief Saheed died in 1963 leading to a financial crisis. For this reason, Gani had to take up part-time work and tutor himself. In 1964, Gani returned home to attend the Nigerian Law School as a mandatory process to practice law in Nigeria. He was called to the bar on January 15, 1965.
His legal career began with him working in his brother Rasheed Fawehinmi’s law Chamber. He worked with his brother for two (2) months before setting up his chamber in April 1965. The Gani Fawehinmi chamber has been reported to have been one of the largest law firms in the country. From 1971 to 1973, Gani held the position of Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Having over 5700 briefs, he took up and solved many cases. What gave him national recognition was the case of Bala Abashe v Andrew Obeya. This case began Gani’s journey to prison as he was detained for 9 months. Another case that gave him prominence was in 1986 where he represented Dele Giwa, a Nigerian journalist who was later assassinated with a letter bomb.
Gani Fawehinmi was known for his vehement stance for human rights which he advocated without fear for the state. He was a pro bono lawyer. He was one person who could not stand injustice no matter where it was coming from. Be it the military government or the civilian government, Gani made sure to stand behind the citizens who were usually the victims.
He spent a lot of time in jail. For a total of 40 years, he was detained for over 12 years in several prisons in the country. He had his properties confiscated and books ruined all while being a lawyer and human rights activist. In 2001, Gani Fawehinmi became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Besides being a practising lawyer, he was also an author (legal writer, reporter). As a matter of fact, he began the publishing of the Nigerian Weekly Law Report in 1985. He was the editor in Chief for years till his death. He had quite a number of published works which spans from 1986 to 1999 among which is The Murder of Dele Giwa: The Rights of a Private Prosecutor (1988). He also had a library that contained his books, other books written by prominent authors and information materials amounting to over a million collections.
During his lifetime, he was recognized and nominated for quite a number of awards although he rejected some. Among these awards which were given to him is the Bruno Kreizky Prize on June 11 1993. He also received the International Bar Association’s Bernard Simmons award in 1998 which shows acknowledgement for his human rights and pro-democracy activities. Posthumously, he was awarded the Order of Nigeria in 2018.
Due to mal-administration in Nigeria in the late 1980s and the increased suffering of the people, Gani Fawehinmi turned his National Conscience Movement which was originally set up as a human rights movement into a political party.
According to him, he gave the notification 6 months earlier before officially making the change. As a member of the party, Gani Fawehinmi contested the 2003 presidential elections. He was called The People’s President. Although he lost the election, he never relented in his fight against corruption and human right violation by the state. Gani Fawehinmi displayed his honesty till his last days, stood his ground and was always ready to live up to his words.
Gani Fawehinmi, died on Sunday 5th September, 2009 of lung cancer.
FATHIA ABOLORE YUSUF
