Hot lawyer and Nigeria’s foremost human rights activist, Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi is dead. The news of the death of the Human Rights crusader hit the Nigerian nation early this morning. Gani, who has been fighting a terminal illness over a period of time has championed human rights activities in Nigeria for decades and led the legal team in most of the nation’s celebrated cases.

gani in black maria

He was said to had died last night. Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi was born in April, 1938, he dedicated his whole life to the defence of human rights and condemnation  of all ill government polices, fought the military junta with all that he had.

Here are 20 facts about Gani’s life, background, and travails as an activist.

1. Gani was forced by financial circumstance to drop out of the Holborn College as a full time student while studying Law. He then took a full time job as a Toilet Cleaner in Russell Square Hotel in Southampton Row, London. 
2. Gani Fawehinmi has 14 children from 2 wives. 
3. Gani’s biography is the most voluminous for any Nigerian dead or alive with over 4,300 pages. 
4.  A site has been dedicated to Gani. http://www.ganifawehinmi.com/. This site was built while he was alive.
5.  During Abacha’s regime, Gani was deported from PortHarcourt back to Lagos. This is the first of its kind when someone was deported from a state back to his home state.
6. His international passport has been siezed 7 times by security agents.
7. Gani has been detained 40 times by security agents.
8. Gani was an only son of out of six children born to his mum. He was the first child.
9. Gani Fawehinmi was the only person who on sympathizing with President Olusegun Obasanjo on Stella’s death,  blamed him and Nigeria’s health system for her demise. He said 

“The events of Saturday and Sunday the 22nd and 23rd October, 2005 which have thrown the country into mourning should never be allowed to repeat themselves. We do not want another plane crash and if you bring in another wife before you constitutionally quit office on 29th May, 2007, please do not allow her to go for a cosmetic surgery for beautification again. We cannot afford another death of the President’s wife in Aso Rock”.  Read full letter.

10. Gani was famous worldwide for his blunt and sharp words. Some of his memorable quotes are:

 “The disappearance of Charles Taylor from Nigerian soil is a humiliating disgrace to Nigeria. Obasanjo must explain why this happened.” – Gani Fawehinmi

“There is nothing new in the speech. It is the same old wine in new bottles. It’s a disappointing statement. In fact it is a disastrous speech.” – Gani Fawehinmi 

“I’m not surprised at this result, I’m saddened, not surprised. This government will do anything to keep its power by deceiving the people.” – Gani Fawehinmi 

 “This is incredible. This is fantastic. This gives us hope that something good will begin to happen soon.” – Gani Fawehinmi