Date Published: 09/10/09

Gani facilitated our release in 1978 from detention -Lawal

Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sikiru Tae Lawal has described the late legal luminary and social crusader, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) as an irresistible defender of the masses, saying he (Gani) facilitated the release of hundreds of students, including himself (Lawal) in the aftermath of the nationwide students crises of 1978.

Dr. Lawal, according to his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Joseph Ogunsemi made the assertion on Tuesday in Lagos when he led a delegation of Governor Segun Oni on a condolence visit to the family of the deceased legal icon.

The Deputy Governor, who was accompanied with the State Information commissioner, Hon Taiwo Olatunbosun, Commissioner for Works, Hon Biodun Olujimi; Alhaji Baky Belo, Engr. Ben Oguntuase and Mr. Tosin Jegede told the senior widow of the deceased,Alhaja Ganiyat Fawehinmi that their late husband helped many students to realize their dreams through his timely interventions whenever they had problems with ruling governments, especially the military.

“It was the late lawyer that facilitated the release of those of us were arrested during the students riot of 1978. He did everything without collecting money from us as students or from our parents and guardians. In fact, the late Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM) was truly the unhidden voice of the masses and defender of the downtrodden”, Dr. Lawal said.

Also during the visit, the State Commissioner for information, Hon Olatubosun said that it would be very difficult to fill the vacuum left by chief Fawehinmi, saying he was a rare breed.

“I have been hearing of his name since I was in primary school.All through his life, he remained undaunted in his defence of the defenceless .He never compromised his principle and stand on any issue either under the military or civilian. We shall all miss him”, Olatubosun said.

In her own condolence message, the State Commissioner for Works, Mrs. Olujimi “ Chief Gani represented an era in the fight against oppression and victimization of the masses. He was a unique fighter for human liberation”, just as Messrs Oguntuase and Belo maintained that Nigeria was lucky to have a person like the late legal icon during the military era.