African view: A big fish vs predators

In our series of viewpoints from African journalists, Sola Odunfa pays tribute to democracy activist and human rights lawyer Gani Fawehinmi, who was buried this week in his hometown of Ondo in south-western Nigeria.

A big fish has disappeared from the Nigerian waters, and millions of Nigerians at home and abroad are mourning its passing.

His erstwhile tormentors join millions of Nigerians to pay elegant tribute to his life Legendary Nigerian activist dies

There are many fish down in the deep. We have the predators who are brutalising the lives of all other beings.

Nigerians pray for them to be removed - by any means possible - but they remain there arrogantly, blood dripping from their fanged jaws.

There are the scavengers. These mainly prey on the left-overs from the predators and clean up the mess.

They are like the characters in Wole Soyinka's Kongi's Harvest who lick their master's backside and go out to tell the people that they are the king.

Gani Fawehinmi had been held in police cells 32 times

Then there are the small band of big fish whose life-labour is to take on the predators and the scavengers in order that others may live in decency and peace.

They are constantly mauled only for them to emerge head-high and more courageous.

In this small specie was Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi, umbrella of the oppressed and scourge of predators.

Gani, as everyone called him, was the Big Fish in the Nigerian waters, now even greater in death.

His erstwhile tormentors join millions of Nigerians to pay elegant tribute to his life.

Those who ordered that deadly gas be pumped into his solitary cell while he was in prison without trial are fouling the air with their tributes.

Non-smoker

I met Gani for the last time last year for an interview for the BBC African Service.

The Nigerian system was primed to fail him - as it does millions of others who had no means to access medical facilities in Europe and America

His voice lacked the tenor I had known for 40 years. I literally pushed the microphone into his mouth to have an audible recording.

His skin colour was fading. I was shocked and I told him so. We discussed his health privately.

That was the day he told me that he had been held in police cells 32 times and detained in eight prisons and other centres across Nigeria.

Yet he was never convicted of any offence. All he demanded stubbornly was that the rulers treated the nation and its citizens with respect according to law.

Gani died of lung cancer two weeks ago. He never smoked, he never touched an alcoholic drink.

He and, later, his widow said that he contacted the fatal ailment from the gaseous substance pumped regularly into his cell in prison.

The lawyer was often referred to as "the people's president"

When he eventually became ill, hospitals in Nigeria misdiagnosed his ailment as a heart disease and he was treated for that for several years.

He got the correct diagnosis only at a hospital in the UK about two years ago, but the harm had been done. His life was slowly ebbing out.

The Nigerian system was primed to fail him - as it does millions of others who had no means to access medical facilities in Europe and America, a privilege that is freely available to the rulers and their hangers-on at public expense.

Former US Ambassador to Nigeria Walter Carrington says of Gani's death: "Nigeria has lost the noblest protector of its laws, its indefatigable conscience. The poor have lost their most passionate advocate."

I have lost a most valued friend and motivator.

Gani Fawehinmi was by far the greatest Nigerians of his time.

One thing is certain, though. After the interment of his body this week, his spirit will live on among the millions of impoverished and oppressed Nigerians for whom he fought and to whom he gave hope.

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If you would like to comment on this column, send us your views using the postform below.

Thanks for your comments. Please read a selection below:

The best of Africa never get to positions of authority to make a difference. The problem with Africa is that the political process is distorted and corrupted so that only the those with negative intentions make it through. He didnt stand a chance to make a difference, he was alone in a sea of sharks..and they too are mourning him!
biodun, Lagos Nigeria

Gani was the lawyer who was always ready to say the truth, even if it was to lead him to detention. I remember that he never endorsed any military regime, no matter the circumstance. Many thanks to Sola Odunfa, BBC's longest reporter in Nigeria. Where are you Sola?
Aji James, Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire

Nigerians have lost the pillar on which justice stands n rule of law prevails. Gani sleep till we meet again.
Emeka Akpa, Babcock Nigeria

The death of Gani was a rude shock to all oppressed Nigerians but I am sure there were some who were happy to finally see their nemesis silenced and interned for ever. The spirit of justice with which he fought to defend the common man and inspire millions of Nigerians to stand and fight for the rule of law will however live on. He was a courageous giant who was fierce in the pursuit of justice but was gentle enough to attract empathy and admonition, even in death. There are many Nigerians who brave the odds even to get up the next day while they are constantly being deprived of reasons to exist, but in their inspiration drawn from Gani's courage lies their reprieve. Gani, the best of Nigeria's contribution to the pursuit of justice is no more and we will miss him!
Ahmed, Toronto, Canada

You cannot but admire the courage of this courageous man. Nigeria has indeed lost a rare gem. Gani has undoubtedly made Nigeria what it is today, other wise it would have sunk into abyss long time ago. May his soul rest in peace.
Kenneth Ihenetu, PhD, San Francisco, USA

My prayer is in a clause in the Nigerian national anthem: may "the labour of our heroes past ... never be in vain."
Bing Ola, Netherlands

WHAT A MAN! Gani was the VOICE of the voiceless and the HOPE of the hopeless. He was simply SELFLESS. The Nigerian populace miss him dearly.
Ohio Ezekiel, Benin City, Nigeria

The poor, the oppressed has lost a great friend and fighter. He will always be remembered. Who will now fight for Dele Giwa? May his soul rest in peace.
bob Emwanta, Benin City. Nigeria

This is all too easy, and it is all human to recognize and glorify people at their exist. Gani, as the greatest Nigerian. Do we really believe that? Chief Fawehinmi was a lawyer who did what he was thought in law schools (as a lot of lawyers were), that is advocate for his clients as vigorously as he could. In his case, his most public clients were people with with less in our society. As we speak and glorify Gani, there are lawyers in Nigeria's court rooms doing the same. We need not disregard the contributions of others in the course recognizing him. Our landscape is loaded with "small" saints whose roles go without notice. It should take less than 32-detentions to get a pat on the back. In spite of the country they find themselves our people are their own "Jesus", we just don't give them the recognition. Gani was great, but it takes greatness waking up alive in Nigeria.
T. Ade. Adeboye, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Gani was a wonderful man that God Almighty created to stand for the masses. Those people that contributed to his death will face judgement when the Lord comes again, unless they repent from their sins. I know and believe strongly that Gani is resting in peace in the name of Jesus' name Amen. God Almighty will comfort his family and also strengthen than more ever before in Jesus name Amen. i am also encouraging the family not to mourn like unbelievers because there is hope beyond the grave. God has promise us mansions in heaven, where there will be no sickness, enemity, and other negative things of this sinful world. therefore, i encourage them once more to break into joy, because God Almighty is the created of the universe. God Bless His family Amen
uchenna Lazarus Mgbelu, pedro, lagos nigeria

Gani's death is a great loss to Africa and to those who believe in democracy. Gani's passion for democracy and the rule of law gave hope to millions of Nigerians at both home and in Diaspora. The Nigerian system failed this great man - who fought hard to stop those who were paid ungodly sum of money as salaries in government departments - only to be rewarded by frequent visits to police cells. Indeed, a gem is lost.... Rest in Peace Gani.
Christopher U. Ochulor, Essex, England

They have all praised Gani's good works after death especially the oppressors. If what he did in his life time is acknowledged then let the leaders show it by their performance. we want to see a change in our country for good.
Steve Udezi, Lagos, Nigeria

May His Soul Rest in PEACE. There may never be a replacement for Gani. A man who stood for the voiceless and decents.
chikason, PH, Nigeria

There is no doubting the fact that Gani was indeed Senior advocate of the masses. What boarders me is that Why is it that Nigeria and Nigerians only sing praise of someone after death. When this God gift to Nigeria was alive how many of these people singing his praise now listened to what he stood for. We pray for another Gani. May his gentle soul rest in peace. Amen.
AGHEDO I.BEN, Lagos Nigeria

Gani epitomizes the courage lacking in the majority of Nigerian people to call their irresponsible leaders to some modicum of accountability. It will be said of him that in the face of injustice and harassment, he did not close his mouth. Even though dead, his memory and his legacy will surely outlast those of his profligate oppressors.
Paul Ndu, Portharcourt Nigeria

As a boy growing up in Nigeria, I heard so much as Gani's contributions to uphold the rules of law, his fights for freedom for the common man. He was a man that lead from the front, I don't think Nigeria would ever get the likes of him. May his soul rest in peace.
uche lebeanya, oxford england

Indeed a big fish has disappeared from Nigeria water. Gani fought relentlessly for the oppressed in Nigeria. He was the the voice of the voiceless. He was an apostle of rule of law, the icon of human right activism in Nigeria. No wonder Nigeria masses gave him an honor, Senior Advocate of masses. An honor he prefered more than Senior Advocate of Nigeria. An honor given to him by the Bar. Gani is dead but he lives, the testimony of his life is an indication that what he fought for was not in vain. Posterity will ever remember Gani as a true Nigerian who believe in true federalism and good leadership. Adiu Gani!
Christopher Nweke, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Gani was a man that could have kept silent like millions of others and lived a lap of luxury but chose instead to put his life at risk to challenge the brutal and corrupt leaders of Nigeria. He was like a candle that burned brightly in the hurricane that was Nigeria, a man with only his intellect and conscience as weapons against the guns and whips of ruthless soldiers and policemen. To me his everlasting legacy to Nigeria will be the stirring in the hearts of men of conscience when his name is mentioned. For that reason he still lives on.
anthony ogunfeibo, london

Gani, the best Nigeria has offered to the world.
Ade Ejire, Raleigh, NC

May his soul rest in peace, Gani imbolised the Nigerian system, only correct and back people live long to hold the country hostage and drive it backward. Good people like him are never allowed to live long and do good to the country. Some of the former leaders that killed him softly over the years are still alive. His offence is to stand up to them in their wayward and correct ways.
Lemmy Osumare, London