Gani’s 10th anniversary series: Day he boxed judge into a corner

Richard Akinnola

The late Gani Fawehinmi was in court one day in one of his cases
against the military government and he urgently needed an
adjournment for a strategic purpose. There wasn’t any serious
reason to ask for an adjournment as both counsel on either side
were ready for the hearing of the motion on notice.

Trust Gani with his ingenuity. He got up and took the judge up
on a rather strange matter.

He bellowed:”My Lord, this case cannot go on because there is a
serious and fundamental breach bothering on the independence of the
judiciary, not you my Lord.

” My Lord, turn around and look at that picture behind you.
That’s the portrait of the military Governor, menacingly staring at
you like a gun being pointed to the head of my Lord.

This matter is against the government but it is wrong to hang
such a portrait directly being my Lord at this hallowed court
because it constitutes a psychological assault on not only my Lord
but all other judges.

So, therefore my Lord, this case cannot go on until this
important issue is addressed and l would humbly urge your lordship
to grant us a short adjournment, to enable the Chief Judge address
this matter.”

The judge granted his request, adjourned the matter and guess
what? At the next adjourned date, the portrait of the military
Governor, Brigadier Raji Rasaki had disappeared from all courts in
Lagos State, replaced with the coat of arms.

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