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 Joseph Contrears of Newsweek magazine, a leading magazine in the United States in an interview with Fawehinmi in the October 10, 1994 edition at page 56 of the magazine titled “No Freedom without a fight” said of him: “Gani Fawehinmi is Nigeria’s best-known human-rights attorney. He is also a leader of the pro-democracy movement that is currently protesting the de facto state of emergency imposed by the military regime of Gen. Sani Abacha.” Also, Catriona Rogan writing in the Washington Times of Thursday, November 23, 1995 titled “Nigeria Outsider who will be Insider” wrote of Gani as follows under the caption “Fawehinmi challenges military in the street.” “Nigeria’s “Steve Biko”, Chief Fawehinmi is a larger-than-life politician and lawyer with a track record of defending human rights activities, including the ethnic Ogoni, who have fought Shell oil which drills in their home land near the Niger River delta over environment issues” James Brooke writing for the New York Times of Friday, October 28, 1988 under the heading “A Gleeful David to Face the Goliath that is Nigeria” describes Gani thus: “Fawehinmi is taking a different strategy to hasten the return of democracy to Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. This year, he has emerged as a one-man movement battling Nigeria’s Military Government for more civil freedoms now.” Stephen Buckley of Washington Post on October 1, 1995 in an article titled"After 35 years, Nigeria Still Stumbling on Road to Democracy" wrote: "Brash and Passionate, Fawehinmi, 57, has been arrested so many times for opposing military regimes that he keeps a bag packed in case he is unexpectedly hauled off to jail. Last year, being the only one who dares defies, he defied Abacha by forming the National Conscience Party, which has been harassed regularly when it holds public rallies -illegal during Abacha's reign. Last month, after Fawehinmi flew into a southern city for a party rally, state security forces refused to let him attend. They tossed him back into the plane. Yet, at some meetings or rallies, security forces applaud his speeches. He remains the only Nigerian who can not be intimidated." Dr. Walter Carrington, former American Ambassador to Nigeria, was reported in the Guardian on Wednesday, October 18, 2000 to have made the following statement under the title: “Nigeria will rise again” at page 8 of the newspaper: “I have been inspired by Gani. So, it is a great honour for me to be in this place. I would say this is the ‘Shrine of Democracy and the Rule of Law’. And Gani has done so much to inspire not only people of this country but people around the world. If there were a Nobel Prize for Human Rights, it would have been given to Gani. Not so many people are known by one name. (But) just say ‘Gani’ and everyone knows to whom you are referring. Gani is the kind of man I had always wanted to be from childhood - somebody who would not be afraid to put his life on the line. That great courage inspired me.” GANI FAWEHINMI IN THE EYES OF THE INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION (IBA) On 13 September 1998, the International Bar Association (IBA) conferred on Chief Gani Fawehinmi the prestigious award of Bernard Simons Memorial Award. The International Bar Association's Bernard Simons Memorial Award was introduced in June 1995. The Bernard Simons Memorial Award honours the memory, endeavours and achievements of the late London solicitor, Bernard Simons. The prize is awarded biennially in recognition of personal endeavours in the practice of criminal law which make a substantial contribution to the promotion, protection and advancement of human rights of all or any group of people, particularly their right to live in a fair and just society under the rule of law. Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN was the 3rd recipient and the first Black African to be awarded the prize. The first award was given to the London based Human Rights Legal Executive, Saul Lehrfreund while the second recipient was Lucy Banda Sichone, an advocate of the High Court of Zambia. The IBA was formed in 1947 and as at 1998 when the award was given to Chief Gani Fawehinmi, it had a membership of over 2.5 million lawyers across the world. The aim of the Association include defence of the rule of law and lawyer's right to practice without interference and provision of an international forum for legal developments. Below are excerpts from the 'Media Release' issued by the International Bar Association (IBA) on 13 September 1998 (the day of the award) on its awardee, Chief Gani Fawehinmi: "Nigerian Human Rights leader receives International Award "I know of no living lawyer who has gone through as much travails as he has in his pursuit of the rule of law and rights of the individual and yet stays on there undaunted and with renewed vigour after each travail." Prince Olateru-Olagbegi, Lagos, Feb. 1998" Nigerian Human Rights Lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, today received the recognition of over 2.5 million of his peers when he was awarded the International Bar Association's Bernard Simons Memorial Award at the Opening Ceremony of the International Bar Association's Conference in Vancouver. The biennial award which honours the achievements of the late London solicitor, Bernard Simons, recognises a criminal lawyer's personal endeavour in contributing to the promotion, protection and advancement of human rights. Described by his contemporaries as the 'Nigerian legal system's colossus', during his thirty years at the Nigerian Bar, Chief Fawehinmi has experienced 27 detentions in 13 prisons, 8 police stations and 5 detention camps, 15 'politically motivated' criminal charges, 13 searches of his Chambers and home, 16 passport seizures, and the mortal wounding of his guards. Despite the dangers, Chief Fawehinmi continues his crusade of upholding the rule of law and the democratic rights of Nigerians. "I wish to ensure that my fellow man and woman live a full, useful, decent and contented life, free from scorching hunger, free from illiteracy, free from homelessness, free from debasement and insecurity. I want Nigeria to be free from disease and political repression into which it is continually thrown," he said. On congratulating Chief Fawehinmi, IBA President Mr. Desmond Fernando PC, said he hoped the recognition of his peers would further the Chief's crusade. 'Chief Fawehinmi's story is an inspirational one for all lawyers and citizens of all nations.' Mr. Fernando said. 'It reveals the fundamental role of lawyers in protecting the individual's interest against the will of government. We today honour his determination in protecting the legal rights of Nigerians'. Since joining the Nigerian Bar in 1965. Chief Fawehinmi has filed over 200 cases which challenge what he perceived to be illegal and unconstitutional policies, activities and self-serving programmes of several Nigerian governments... Chief Fawehinmi's crusade extends to making the law accessible to all in Nigeria. In 1983 he founded and since has edited the Nigerian Weekly Law Reports. The weekly reports are said to be unprecedented in Africa for their innovation, content and regularity. Chief Fawehinmi has also edited over eighteen other legal publications. As a champion of education, Chief Fawehinmi has awarded over 800 scholarships to needy students. He has also supported Nigerian students against university fees and abuse of power by University authorities. Time and money has been dedicated to the cause. Many of the peaceful rallies and street demonstrations organised by Chief Fawehinmi against military dictatorship have been funded using his own personal finances. His Chambers have also been set up as the headquarters for his human rights campaigns... For further information contact: Sue Jackson IBA Press Office +44 (0) 171 491 4480 direct line sue.jackson@int-bar.org www.ibanet.org" |
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