NBA, Lagos hold special court session for Gani
By Innocent Anaba
THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), will tomorrow, in conjunction with the Lagos State Judiciary organise a valedictory court session for its former National Publicity Secretary, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), at the Lagos High Court, Igbosere.
NBA, in a statement by its Assistant National Publicity, Secretary, Mr. Gbolahan Gbadamosi, said aside the NBA President, Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who will lead the Bar, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN); Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Lagos State Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Supo Shasore (SAN), are also expected to pay their tributes to the fallen legal icon.
All the chairmen of the three branches in Lagos State, (Lagos, Ikeja and Ikorodu) are to deliver speeches while senior members of the Bar are expected to be there to pay their last respects to Fawehinmi.
NBA added that members of the legal profession are expected to be fully- robbed during the solemn ceremony.
In addition, a condolence registers have been opened at the NBA Headquarters in Abuja and its liasion office in Lagos while all the 88 branches nationwide have been directed by Akeredolu to open condolence registers for members.
Meanwhile, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), Chairman, Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) of NBA, in his tribute said, “Chief Gani, the legendary septuagenarian legal icon was a man of many parts. His was a success story in almost everything he did. The Nigerian Weekly Law Reports series has no match. The various law books on diverse areas of the law are a must-buy or a must-read for all legal practitioners in the country.
“The degree of audacity and courage he exhibited in his war against human rights’ abuses and military despotism/tyranny/cruelty was unprecedented.
“He was upright, principled, and philosophical about man’s existence on the planet earth. His antecedents on the path of the struggle to uplift our moral standards, the crusade against corruption and fight against the exploitation of the poor/oppressed by the rich or the elites in Nigeria and above all, his consistent opposition dogged stance on national/tropical issues against government and his colleagues are all unforgettable,” he added.
“The indelible marks of his giant strides on the sands of time will for ever remain in our memories. He endeared lawyers and non lawyers alike to his style of doing things. We loved him but God Almighty loves him more. We pray for those he mentored to give us some other Ganis and other Fawehinmis; to immortalize him. Adieu Chief. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amenâ€, he said.
