Let us face it. There was allegation against Comradr Femi Falana by some faith individuals that his hands were oiled for defending the rights of some individuals.
The person who made the allegation could not prove it. He rested in the oars of falsehood and streetsay. Too bad.
One Uche Obiajulu in the Men’s Fellowship Whatsapp platform of the Anglican Church on the Peninsula, Royal Garden Estate, Ajiwe, Ajah, on October 17 said
“90% of the so-called social critics including Falana are fake and deceitful. It’s only NGO human right (sic) donations they are chasing for.” This is false and a complete lack of a deep.sense of history. People barechest bullets on the streets fighting for democracy, detained and even killed, but all some people do is never to recognise such efforts
It is important the respected Anglican Church has tabled apology.
It is important to know that many Nigerians, most of the time don’t appreciate their heroes, their true and through icons.
A Senator who sprays public funds claiming to be helping people is most likely to be appreciated than someone who puts his blood, his brain, his veins, his arteries, his soul and his life on the line to protect the sanctity of human lives and the freedom of Nigerians from the grim claws of death and misery.
From time immemorial, maybe from around 1981, from his days at Great Ife, that is some 40 years ago, Comrade Falana has thrown his life into the den in bitter struggle for his fatherland at no cost except at the expense of his life.
When many were in their cosy apartments, drinking and having fun, FF was in the gallows of the military, dejected, trampled upon and with gun pointed at his head.
Graduating in 1983, and joining Aka Basorun Chambers, he has dedicated his life and living to the service of mankind.
In 1985, he was at University of Nigeria Nsukka to defend our movement without asking for a penny. Some of us, members of the radical movement were expelled from UNN including Chima Ubani, Emma Ezeazu, Chris Nderibe, Jide Ojo and others. Comrade Falana was there, travelling day and night by road. He made similar visits across Nigeria, North, East, West and South, in the desert and in the dry and wet lands.
Falana gave his time, his energy, his life for others. I do not think any living SAN has been detained as much as Oga Femi Falana.
In his post Aka Basorun days, FF has handled hundreds of human rights cases pro bono. He is the legal shield of National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANs), Nigerian Labour Congress, (NLC) and the masses on the streets who bee his office daily for free legal services. Falana runs these services with his own personal funds.
In 1993, myself, now Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Segun Mayegun, late Dr Beko Ransome Kuti, China Ubani, Nike Ransome Kuti were arrested during a rally held at Yaba. FF and Gani Fawehinmi fed us throughout the weekend of detention and provided legal services free.
I know many friends I have taken to FF for legal assistance at no cost. I know how many he has saved from death hangman by going to court to save their lives free of charge.
What about the soldiers that would have been killed if not for him and the services he rendered were free. What about the Maroko victims, thousands of them sent away from their homes that FF took up their case?
What about ABU, BUK, UNICAL, UNIMAID students? What about his defence of poor people across West Africa sd beyond?.Are they not written in the chronicle of African history?
I guess some people wish to see a FF with bushy beard living in a one room apartment parading himself as a Marxist, going about on the streets barefooted and without a home for the to acknowledge his greatness. Being a radical is not to make people poor but to ensure everyone has enough according to his needs.
To insist that a hero must be poor is sensationalism.
Being a radical does not mean you have to be poor..
I was in a court session with FF years back and the judge admitted that he is a “very brilliant lawyer” His wealth is the product of his relentless hardwork and let me add, the consequence of having an amazing wife, anti Funmo, who tills the soil with the dew of cèaseless prayers and fasting even when on Sunday his husband is glued to law books in his Chambers
Those who detest FF and smear his name are doing a great disservice to humanity. They recognise not the sacrifices of people who have made tremendous imput to the liberation of Nigeria from the iron grip of daring tyrants and oppressors.
At the fullness of time, history will absolve FF as a man whose remarkable milestones on the sand of time will be evergreen.
The idea of darkmailing his name is cruel. When next you want to darkmail a progressive icon on social media, think twice before spreading your lies. You might be sued and you will pay harshly for your act of gross irresponsibility.
ADEOYE IS A VETERAN JOURNALIST & EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF JOURNALISTS FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORM, JODER