On Sunday the 15th of January, 2017, the NBA IKEJA branch under the Chairmanship of Mr. Adesina Ogunlana, organized the 13th Chief Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture / Symposium at the Lagos Airport hotel, IKEJA. Theme: Nigeria Anti-Corruption War : Wither The Legal Profession & The JudiciaryThe event was chaired by Pa Tunji Gomez. The Keynote speaker was Prof. Omotoye Omotoye. The discussants were Prof. Jacob Dada (Justice, Court of Appeal, Gambia) and Mr. Charles Oputa (Charly Boy)
The event was successfully honoured by the presence of Mr.Femi Falana SAN, Deacon Dele Adesina SAN, wife of Chief Gani Fawehinmi and some her of children led by Mr. Mohammed Fawehinmi, Esq. Mr. Wahab Shittu was also present along side other prominent lawyers and dignitaries from across the country. Some previous NBA chairmen of Ikeja branch were present. Chairmen of other NBA branches from Lagos & Ibadan were also in attendance. Most of the discussants commended the effort and courage of Mr. Adesina Ogunlana for seeing to the success of the event despite fruitless efforts of some people who wanted to cause unnecessary confusion by sending messages that the event was postponed. As a matter of fact, Mr. Wahab Shittu expressed his excitement that Mr. Adesina didn’t succumb to the tactics of those who wanted to sabotage the memory of Chief Gani Fawehinmi. He however promised his support for Mr. Ogunlana based on his fortitude. In the same vain, Mrs. Gani Fawehinmi also gave kudos to Mr. Adesina Ogunlana for a job well done and she expressed her disappointment at one Mr. Oloke, the one who circulated the false information that the event was postponed. She displayed the letter Mr. Oloke sent to her to the audience stating that the content of the letter was a complete disrespect to Chief Gani Fawehinmi, his memory and his family. She promised to make a copy of the letter available to Pa Gomez, the event chairman. She vowed to ensure to keep fighting for Justice as her husband did in his lifetime. When Mr.Mohammed Fawehinmi spoke, he gave kudos to Mr. Adesina Ogunlana and prayed passionately for his progress and that his enemies be put to shame. He glittered with excitement lauding the successful event. He stated his hope and optimism for the FAWEHINMIISM to exist forever! The members of the audience were availed the opportunity to express their activism, views and opinions. Most of them commended the organizers of the event and they lamented about corruption in the country and in the judiciary. The event which kicked off by 12:30pm finally came to a close by 6:40pm as the 2nd stanza of Nigerian Anthem was chanted after which names of the 1st 100 attendees were called out to receive the promised book gifts. The MC of the occasion was Mr. Charles Ajiboye, chairman of the Young Lawyer’s Forum, co MC was Ms Adeola Folarin, secretary of the event committee.
See pictures taken from the event below:
