Sir: As Nigeria continues to make giant strides in its democratic journey, it is necessary for the country to look back and honour those who gave their entire life to the struggles that eventually led to the return to civil rule; and foremost among such calibre of people is the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi.
Dating back before the annulment of the popular June 12 election purportedly won by Chief MKO Abiola, Fawehinmi had always been at the vanguard of national emancipation from the draconian military rule which did not only destroy the entire fabric of the country but also led to the general impoverishment of the people.
Because of his strong resistance and confrontations with the junta, Fawehinmi was incarcerated on many occasions and suffered untold hardship in the hands of those who tried whatever they could to silence him though no matter whatever was done to him, the tougher his battle with the enemies of the masses became.
Apart from waging relentless war against the military oppressors, Fawehinmi also left no one in doubt as being the most brilliant and productive lawyer to come out not only from Nigeria but the entire Africa through his immensely-challenging and hugely-intimidating law publications.
Even many years after he passed on, it is doubtful if any other lawyer has been able to fill in the large vacuum left by his exit as far as law publications is concerned. For someone who did so well in putting his entire life into the struggles that eventually led to achieving the civil rule which Nigeria now enjoys, it is only necessary that honour be given to whoever deserves it.
It is therefore high time a national monument was named after Fawehinmi as an appreciation for all his efforts which should never be deemed to have been in vain. And since all his battles and struggles against injustice and for good governance were through the instrumentality of the law, the best or most fitting national monument for him is none other than the Nigerian Law School in Abuja.
Jide Oyewusi is the coordinator of Ethics Watch International, Nigeria.
