TRIBUTE TO A GREAT HIGH PRIEST IN THE TEMPLE OF JUSTICE-Frank Agbedo

The death of Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAM, SAN, on Saturday, 5th September, 2009, dealt a devastating blow to the Nigerian nation, particularly, the poor masses, whose lives were remarkably touched by his selfless service to humanity, using the instrumentality of the law.

He had bestrode our firmament like a colossus. He was an avatar, an icon, a legal titan, champion, veteran fighter, an indefatigable warrior for the rights of the oppressed and suppressed and a rabid scourge of dictators and shameless pillagers of our collective heritage and patrimony.

As a high priest, in the hallowed temple of justice, he was a fearless intercessor and defender of the defenceless. As a crusader for social justice, he fought tirelessly for the enthronement of an egalitarian society, where the welfare of the masses was truly entrenched as the primary purpose of government.

As an activist, he was a symbol of courage and prodigious intellect, always the last man standing, at the epi/center of every struggle for social justice and defence of human rights, the rule of law, constitutional democracy, ethical revolution and the abolition of poverty, in our land.

As a legal luminary, he had brightly illuminated our legal firmament with his forensic advocacy, scholarly works and erudite interventions, which has contributed immeasurably to the fast development of the law and the growth of the legal profession, in Nigeria and beyond.

He was celebrated both in life and death, a rarity in these climes where such was reserved only for the dead. He was no doubt the greatest human rights activist and social crusader of our time.

As we mourn the passing of this great hero, we should be consoled by the fact that, he had not died in vain. He had left behind imperishable foot print in the sands of time, as well as a huge army of worthy successors and disciples, well nurtured and fired up, to continue the struggle from where he stopped.

We heartily condole his immediate family, as well as all lovers of the poor, the subjected, suppressed, oppressed, disabled, helpless, victimised and vilified, in our midst, on the painful loss of their hero and greatest benefactor. But let us all be reminded that the best way to perpetuate his legacy thereby immortalizing him, is to hold fast to his ideals, by standing firm in the struggle for the defence of those principles and humanitarian activities, that defined his life on earth, at all times.

Adieu, Gani, the great and the irrepressible high priest in the temple of justice. Ka emesia. Odigba.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN