Chief Gani Fawehinmi finally went “home” yesterday in a blaze of glory, capping a week long celebration of the life and times of the legal icon and champion of downtrodden masses. His remains were buried in his native Ondo town in a gleaming golden casket, believed to have cost some millions of Naira.
The expensive coffin, first spotted at a tribute session organized by the Ondo State Government in Akure ,the state capital on Monday, was supplied by TOS, a top flight Lagos-based firm of undertakers owned by Taiwo Ogunsola. The company handled the contract for the funeral of the late human rights activist. The cost of the casket was a closely guarded secret by the family. Gani’s widow, Ganiyat revealed that it was part of a complete package charged by the company, adding however, that: “I am not sure the children will want me to disclose the entire amount to the press. All I can say is that we asked them to give us the best ever” However, industry sources reckoned that the casket could cost between N5million and N 10 million if it were made of solid gold. This has, however, stirred a controversy, with some observers querying such brazen display of ostentation and flamboyance in respect of a man who was an acerbic critic of profligacy and epitome of prudence and modesty in his time. Some also expressed doubt that Gani may not have approved this. Apart from the cost, there is also a brewing controversy as to the propriety of buring Gani, a devout Muslim, in a coffin. It is a development a section of the Muslim community, which had earlier queried the decision to delay his burial for two weeks, had also expressed reservations about.
Incidentally, this seeming rebellion against the established Islamic burial rites may only be another manifestation of the Gani phenomenon.He obviously rebelled to the end.
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