Falana, others raise alarm over threats to Gani Fawehinmi’s family

Several human rights advocates, including Femi Falana, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, IPC, Lanre Arogundade, and Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda, MRA, Edetaen Ojo, have raised concerns over the growing threats to the family of late human rights icon, Gani Fawehinmi.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Falana revealed that members of Fawehinmi’s family are facing intimidation from a property developer who has constructed a four-storey hotel adjacent to the fence protecting the front section of the late Chief’s residence in Ikeja GRA.

Falana said, “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 right by the fence protecting the front part of Fawehinmi’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 Fawehinmi’s fence. It is possible that they believe they are above the law. Or perhaps, they bear some grudge against him 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.”

Falana pointed out that, in addition to the imminent risk of the fence surrounding Fawehinmi’s residence collapsing, a 1,000-litre water tank mounted atop the four-storey building has fallen into Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s compound on three separate occasions.

“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 Fawehinmi’s house.

“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,” he added.

The group called for the demolition of the structure, alleging that its construction breaches Lagos State urban development and building regulations, specifically the mandatory three-meter setback required between buildings.