Legal icons, rights advocates, and allies of the late Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, are demanding the immediate demolition of a four-storey hotel erected next to his Ikeja GRA residence in Lagos.
Their call, made during a Friday protest and press conference shortly after Fawehinmi’s posthumous 87th birthday on April 22, denounces the building as illegal and a grave risk to the safety, privacy, and legacy of his family.
“The purpose of this gathering is to demand justice for Chief Gani Fawehinmi and the great family he left behind,” the coalition stated in a statement jointly signed by human rights lawyers and activists Femi Falana, SAN; Clement, SAN; Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN; Adindu Ugwuzor; Richard Akinnola; Edetaen Ojo; Bayo Alabidun, and Lanre Arogundade.
“The essence is to see that justice is done and manifestly seen to be done. In this regard, this marks the beginning of a series of actions we might be compelled to embark upon until we attain that goal of justice.”
Fawehinmi, who died in 2009 at 71, was known for his tireless struggle for justice, democracy, and human rights, often at significant personal cost.
He endured multiple detentions and persecutions under military regimes, sacrifices which the coalition says must not be trivialised or desecrated by reckless property development.
According to the group, the four-storey building, referred to as a “so-called apartment” but identified as a hotel, was erected with blatant disregard for Lagos State’s urban planning laws, particularly the mandatory three-metre minimum setback between buildings.
They alleged that the developers ignored multiple warnings from the Fawehinmi family and constructed the building almost directly on the property’s boundary wall.
“So brazen were the dare-devil builders or developers that they ignored family warnings and chose to build their structure almost on top of Chief Gani’s fence,” they said.
“It is possible that they believe they are above the law. Or perhaps, they bear some grudge against Chief Gani 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.”
They also raised serious security concerns, stating that the building’s height and location pose risks to the privacy and safety of the Fawehinmi household, potentially serving as a surveillance point or access route for individuals with criminal intentions.
“The fence protecting Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s house faces imminent collapse. A 1000-litre capacity water tank installed right on top of this four-storey structure has thrice collapsed and fallen into Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s compound from this same apartment,” the coalition stated.
“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 a doubt how dangerously close this structure is to Chief Gani’s house and demonstrates the critical nature of this issue, as the lives of Chief Gani’s family members are indeed in clear danger.
“As a matter of fact, it was only providential that the cited incidents have so far not led to fatalities. 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.”
In their formal demands, the coalition called for the immediate demolition of the structure, citing violations of state urban planning laws.
They also demanded an investigation into possible collusion between the developers and government officials who may have approved the building.
They further called for enhanced security measures around the Fawehinmi property to protect the family from harm.
They stated, “Our demands are simple: The so-called apartment building should be pulled down as the construction obviously violates Lagos State urban development and building regulations, particularly with regard to the mandatory setback requirement of at least three metres between buildings.
“The so-called apartment building should be pulled down because it menacingly towers above Chief Gani’s compound and could provide a safe haven for anyone with criminal and sinister intent against the family, especially given the obviously commercial nature of the property, which means that anyone with such sinister intentions can gain access into the building.
“The so-called apartment building should be pulled down because it constitutes a permanent threat to the security and safety of lives and property in Chief Gani’s house
“This is not just about a building. It is about protecting a legacy, preserving justice, and honouring the memory of a man who gave everything for the rights of others. This injustice must not stand,” the coalition said.