By Safiu Kehinde
A group of leading human rights activists and associates of fiery lawyer Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi on Friday rose in defence of his property against encroachment.
The group, under the aegis of Coalition of Friends and Associates of Chief Gani, had at a press conference held at his residence on Ademola Close Off Remi Fani-Kayode Street GRA Ikeja on Friday, recounted how a four storey-hotel was built in front the late lawyer’s apartment.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, human rights lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN) disclosed how the contractors defied several warnings from the family and legal counsels as they proceeded with the project.
He also disclosed how a 1000 litres septic tank from the apartment fell into Gani Fawehinmi’s residence thrice, destroying vehicles parked by the son of the late lawyer.
While the name of the contractors in charge of the building identified as Mercy Apartments were not disclosed, the coalition demanded the demolition of the apartment, stressing that it violated the Lagos State urban and development regulations.
They further claimed that the apartment could provide a hiding place for anyone with criminal intent against the family to gain access to their residence.
The coalition again reiterated that the building should be pulled down as it constitutes a permanent threat to the security and safety of live and property in late Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s house.
Olumide-Fusika called for Lagos State government’s intervention over the development.
He charged the government to set up inquiry into the process of the project’s approval.
“Nigeria is a law-governed society. There are laws governing municipal development. We are calling on the Lagos State government to institute inquiry to how this was being allowed to happen in the first instance. This is a state that has all sort of agencies purporting to be in charge of physical planning and all that.
“How can we have all these agencies set up to prevent this kind of situation from developing. Yet it happened everyday. This is just one out of many. The Lagos State must take this up and find out what happened? Who approved? What was the basis of approval?” The lawyer said.
The coalition led by Human Rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, also include Media rights campaigners Richard Akinnola, Edetan Ojo, Lanre Arogundade and Olumide Fusika, a lawyer.
Also present at the Press Conference were human rights activists who strongly supported the coalition’s demand for the demolition of the apartment.
Below is part of the statement read at the conference:
The statement read in part; “We, the undersigned persons, representing coalition of friends and close associates of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), of blessed memory, and whose 87th post-humous birthday recently came up on Tuesday April 22, 2025, warmly welcome you to this event.
“The purpose of this gathering is simple. It is to demand justice for Chief Gani Fawehinmi and the great family he left behind. The essence is to see that justice is done and manifestly seen to be done.
“In this regard, this marks the beginning of series of actions we might be compelled to embark upon until we attain that goal of justice.
“It is worth reiterating that Chief Gani uncommonly devoted almost his entire legal, social and political life to the advocacy for the rule of law, respect for the Constitution and the defence of the rights of Nigerians, especially the deprived and downtrodden masses, all in the quest for good governance and a country that we can all be proud of.
“It is equally worth recalling that his relentless pursuit of these noble ideals earned him the hostility of corrupt military and civilian governments.
“The military, in particular, repeatedly arrested and detained Chief Gani, resulting in punishing experiences that ultimately cost him his health and led to his demise on September 5, 2009 at the age of 71.
“Yet, without such enormous sacrifices by him and other heroes of the anti-military struggles, Nigeria will not today be running a democratic system of government.
“Against the above background, the least that we expect is that his soul would be allowed to rest in peace; while members of his family who equally suffered the pains and pangs of his incessant harassment and incarceration would be allowed to live peacefully without any form of threat, intimidation or needless endangerment whatsoever. They certainly deserve the support and protection of all lovers of democracy.
“Behold, the above has not been the case. This is because an individual or group of individuals, either acting in utter contempt of the rules and regulations guiding property development in Lagos State or acting in connivance with unscrupulous government officials, have decided to erect a four-storey hotel – a so-called Apartment – right by the fence protecting the front part of Chief Gani’s house in Ikeja GRA.
“So brazen were the dare-devil builders or developers that they ignored family warnings and chose to build their structure almost on top of Chief Gani’s fence. It is possible that they believe they are above the law. Or perhaps, they bear some grudge against Chief Gani and his family and therefore do not see anything wrong in their brazen act of recklessness and injustice.
“But, whoever they think they are and whatever their motive, our stance is that this injustice should not, cannot and must not be allowed to stand.
“Dear colleagues, aside from the fact that the fence protecting Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s house faces imminent collapse, we wish to inform you that a 1000-litre capacity water tank installed right on top of this 4-storey structure, has thrice collapsed and fallen into Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s compound from this same apartment.
“We are fortunate that no one has so far been hurt or killed as a result of these incidents. But these repeated incidents themselves show without doubt how dangerously close this structure is to Chief Gani’s house and demonstrates the critical nature of this issue as the lives of Chief Gani’s family members are indeed in clear danger. As matter of fact, it was only providential that the cited incidents have so far not led to fatalities.
“We do not want to wait until any such catastrophe occurs before taking action. We have, therefore, chosen to speak out now before deadlier incidents occur.
“Our demands are simple: The so-called apartment building should be pulled down as the construction obviously violates Lagos State urban development and building regulations, particularly with regards to the mandatory setback requirement of at least three-meter space in-between buildings.
“”The so-called apartment building should be pulled down because it menacingly towers above Chief Gani’s compound and could provide a safe haven for anyone with criminal and sinister intent against the family, especially given the obviously commercial nature of the property, which means that anyone with such sinister intentions can gain access into building.
“The so-called apartment building should be pulled down because it constitutes a permanent threat to the security and safety of lives and property in Chief Gani’s house. Thank you very much”