Minister of Information and Communication, Dora Akunyuli consoling Ganiat Fawehinmi, the widow of the late social critic. Photo: NAN

Gani to be buried next week - Son

NAN

September 6, 2009 05:51PM

The remains of late eminent Lagos lawyer and human rights crusader, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, will be buried next week, his eldest son, Mohammed, said on Sunday.

Mohammed told journalists at the deceased's residence in GRA, Ikeja that the social critic would be buried in his home town, Ondo, but could not say specifically the burial date.

However, he explained that a week-long festival in Ondo town would make it impossible for Gani's remains to be buried this week.

He said that Gani's family would consult with the Ondo State Government before deciding on the date of interment.

Mohammed said the remains of the late Senior Advocate of Nigeria would lie-in-state on Monday at his residence in Ikeja from 2p.m.

According to him, there will be a valedictory court session in Gani's honour at the Lagos High Court, Igbosere on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, notable Nigerians have continued to throng the deceased's residence to pay tributes.

A former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Wole Olanipekun, described Gani as a hero, compass, and pathfinder.
"We are not mourning but celebrating his life and times, although we will surely miss him," Olanipekun told newsmen.

Also speaking with newsmen, AC's National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, said Gani was a mentor to Nigerians.

Mohammed said Gani spent 40 years fighting for an equalitarian society and that he used the legal profession as a platform to help the masses.

The Deputy Chairman of the National Conscience Party, Kingsley Umunna, expressed hope that Gani's death "will reawaken the conscience of our leaders".

He said the deceased fought and died for the Nigerian masses and that he would not be forgotten.

Gani founded the party, running on its platform as a presidential candidate in 2003.

Segun Okeowo, President of the defunct National Union of Nigerian Students, also paid tribute to the legal icon.

Okeowo narrated how Gani employed him after his rustication from the University of Lagos over the "Ali Must Go" protest in 1978.

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Reader Comments (14)

Posted by saddy on Sep 06 2009

Chief has said that no kobo of Government fund should be use in his burial, ondo state government should please hold on to their money and use it for pressing need, no govt should use Gani's death as a platform to embezzle money. beware

Posted by doctor on Sep 06 2009

Where is the GANI in all of us. He did his bit and DID it well.Lets ALL do ours. May the soul of the GREAT departed rest in peace. Amen...

Posted by Musty on Sep 06 2009

Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Allaihim Raji'un. Gani lived an exemplary life and was indeed an exemplary muslim, I wonder why the family chose not to bury him in the normal Islamic manner, that indeed is a diservice to his Imaan.

Posted by funmi on Sep 06 2009

nigeria has a whole has lost a great mam.This world is so partial,dont know why the good ones have to go earlier than the bad ones.Why are the corrupt ones not dying of one ailment or the other,it is INDEED A GREAT LOSS

Posted by Musty on Sep 06 2009

I am really baffled! The Late Gani's family is deferring his quick forwarding to Al-Jannah (In Sha Allah) because of a week-long earthly Festival!! The Jana'iz congregation and prayer for the repose of his soul is better than a thousand lieing-in-state. The family is very wrong on this as the man lived his life as a devout muslim.

Posted by olawunmi on Sep 06 2009

what a bombshell, am really sorry for the loss of a great gem such as chief Gani. may the good Lord strengthen the deceased family.

Posted by Vicky on Sep 06 2009

May the soul of chief gani rest in perfect peace. (AMEN)

Posted by Neka on Sep 06 2009

Gani, left his footprints on the Sands of Time. He takes a bow,when the masses needs him the Most, We will really miss him.

Posted by Nnamdi on Sep 06 2009

Gani, beleived in something and lived it; that is being the voice of the voiceless. I call on all Nigerians to alway beleive in something and stop flowing like water.

Posted by yakubu yakubu on Sep 07 2009

Please bury the deceased as quickly as possible. he is of this earth no more. in islam heroes, kings and great men are all buried with humility. gani was a hero and a great man. most important, he was a muslim.

Posted by isola on Sep 07 2009

We're from GOD and to Him we return.Gani's death is shocking but another confirmation that even the strongest will become the weakest one day or even die.everysoul would taste death only the creator will never die.We can never reward a good one with a thousand year funfare.Only Allah can reward Gani. Therefore, we're only delaying gani's reward if we refuse to bury him on time. Even the holy prophet's(pbuh)burial was never delayed.Gani was his follower.

Posted by george on Sep 07 2009

Gani is an icon that will never fade out of nigeria history,i wish he never dies but just can't help it,it is a most that it as to happen.on the fact that he as not been buried shouldn't be anybody's buisness except his family,as far as his corpse is well taken care of,almighty allah have is soul already,which is the most important and not the physical body we all see.his children should follow the directive of their father,cos Gani deserve a better burial arrangement than michael jackson,stella obj or whoever,so let them take their time.

Posted by SALAUDEEN MUJEEB ADETUNJI on Sep 07 2009

We all knw dat gani is an icon, but we all come from him (god) & 2 him we returned but It really baffled me earring gani burial arrangement which give doubting mind to me whether gani is a muslim or not or maybe the family are not muslim becos I don’t understand the family bases for their action. Not dat when Murtala Muhammed died, he was buried immediately without fanfare, and that was a former head of state. Muslims globally, no matter how prominent, must be buried immediately without any delay Anyway the corps belong 2 dem, but they should be consign abt wht god (Allah) says not wht ppl will talk. May Allah (S.W.A) forgive his sin, accept him & count him & us among those that will enter paradise wit prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) Amin

Posted by akeem agali on Sep 10 2009

Its still gonna be about what some Sane muslims have been talking about. I am sure Gani was a muslim, but I still doubt if he really set the feet of his family on the same path. i have never heard it before that a Muslim was buried this way, to please the masses.. I WONDER WHY WE ARE SHEDDING CROCODILE TEARS NOW....WHO SUPPORTED GANI WHEN HE INTENDED TO BE THE PRESIDENT... PEOPLE LAUGHED AT HIM, SOME EVEN SAID HE WAS MAD? HE WAS TOO STURBBORN...ETC...MAY ALLAH REST HIS SOUL AND OVERLOOK ALL SHORTCOMINGS WITH REGARDS TO GANI'S BURIAL