Their impassioned demand was amplified during a vocal protest and press conference held on Friday, shortly after the posthumous 87th birthday of the revered legal icon on April 22nd. The group vehemently denounced the structure as an illegal encroachment and a significant threat to the safety, privacy, and enduring legacy of the Fawehinmi family.
In a powerful statement jointly endorsed by a formidable assembly of human rights lawyers and activists, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria Femi Falana and Clement, alongside Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, Adindu Ugwuzor, Femi Aborisade, Richard Akinnola, Edetaen Ojo, Bayo Alabidun, and Lanre Arogundade, the coalition declared their unwavering commitment to seeking justice for the late legal titan and his family.
"The purpose of this gathering is to demand justice for Chief Gani Fawehinmi and the great family he left behind," the statement asserted. "The essence is to see that justice is done and manifestly seen to be done. In this regard, this marks the beginning of a series of actions we might be compelled to embark upon until we attain that goal of justice."
Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who passed away in 2009 at the age of 71, remains an indelible figure in Nigeria's history, celebrated for his relentless and often perilous struggle for justice, democracy, and fundamental human rights. His unwavering commitment led to numerous detentions and persecutions under successive military regimes – sacrifices that the coalition insists must not be diminished or dishonored by what they perceive as reckless and insensitive property development.
According to the concerned group, the imposing four-storey building, deceptively labeled an "apartment" but identified as a commercial hotel, was constructed with a blatant disregard for established Lagos State urban planning regulations, particularly the crucial stipulation mandating a minimum three-metre setback between adjacent buildings.
The coalition further alleged that the developers audaciously ignored multiple warnings and objections raised by the Fawehinmi family, proceeding to erect the structure almost directly against the boundary wall of the property.
"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," the statement emphasized. "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."
Beyond the alleged violation of urban planning laws, the coalition articulated grave security concerns arising from the building's imposing height and its immediate proximity to the Fawehinmi residence. They argued that the structure could potentially serve as an undesirable vantage point for surveillance or even a direct access route for individuals harboring criminal intentions, thereby jeopardizing the safety and privacy of the Fawehinmi household.
The statement further highlighted alarming incidents directly linked to the newly erected structure: "The fence protecting Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s house faces imminent collapse. A 1000-litre capacity water tank installed right on top of this four-storey structure has thrice collapsed and fallen into Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s compound from this same apartment."
Expressing profound relief that no injuries or fatalities have occurred thus far, the coalition underscored the inherent danger posed by the repeated incidents. "But these repeated incidents themselves show without a 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 a 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."
In their formal articulation of demands, the coalition unequivocally called for the immediate demolition of the offending structure, citing the clear breaches of Lagos State urban development and building regulations. Furthermore, they demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into potential collusion between the developers and any government officials who might have facilitated the approval of the contentious building.
In addition to the demolition and investigation, the group called for the implementation of enhanced security measures around the Fawehinmi property to provide adequate protection for the family.
"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 regard to the mandatory setback requirement of at least three metres 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 the 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."
Concluding their powerful statement, the coalition emphasized the profound significance of their demands, asserting that the issue transcends a mere property dispute. "This is not just about a building. It is about protecting a legacy, preserving justice, and honouring the memory of a man who gave everything for the rights of others. This injustice must not stand," they declared, signaling their unwavering resolve to pursue this matter until their demands are met.