Former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr. Orji Kalu, has lamented the passing of first child of late legal luminary and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Mohammed, who died at the age of 52.
Describing the late Mohammed Fawehinmi as a cerebral lawyer and upright human rights activist, the former Governor condoled with the government and people of Ondo state over the sad loss.
While praying to God to grant the deceased eternal rest, Kalu urged the Fawehinmi family to be comforted in the remarkable life Mohammed Fawehinmi lived.
He said: “The death of the eldest child of late legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Mohammed, is shocking and painful.
“The younger Fawehinmi, in his life time, played noble roles in advancing the cause of the people.
“He was successful in his profession and humanitarian gestures.
” The deceased left behind good legacies worthy of emulation”.
Kalu prayed for the repose of the soul of Mohammed Fawehinmi.
Also, the Centre for Human and Socioeconomic Rights says the demise of Mohammed is a terrible loss.
Mr Alex Omotehinse, National President of the group, stated this while reacting to the death of the lawyer.
Omotehinse said the news was ”shocking”.
“The fact remains that among the children of the late legal icon, Mohammed was the only one who identified with us and remained with us, despite the challenges he faced.
“Mohammed stood with us in the struggle to defend the masses.
“Now that he has again dropped the baton, a very big vacuum has been created,” he said.
According to him, the death of Mohammed Fawehinmi implies that Gani Fawehinmi’s household may be finally missed in the activism circle.
“It is only Mohammed that carried the mantle, despite his health challenges.
“When some of us see him, we believe Gani is still alive, because he was bold, spoke like his father, was courageous and never looked at his challenges.”
The rights activist recalled how civil society groups, alongside Mohammed, attended the burial of late Mr Yinka Odumakin, another activist, who died recently.
He added that the late younger Fawehinmi also joined them recently, during a courtesy visit to the residence of another late activist, Mr Innocent Chukwuma .
Omotehinse said the death was a huge loss and very sad one, praying God to console the late Mohammed’s mother and family.
Mohammed had complained of breathing difficulties and was taken to a hospital where he died.
He had a law degree from the University of Buckingham, England and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1998.
In 2003, he had an accident in Lagos which affected his spinal cord and confined him to a wheelchair.
