Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, was the quintessential maverick, the “People’s Lawyer,” a legal titan who made an indelible mark on the Nigerian legal landscape. Even years after his passing, the question lingers: how did Gani Fawehinmi think? What were the core tenets of his legal philosophy that propelled him to such heights and allowed his chambers to become a formidable training ground for future legal luminaries?
In an interview with us published in our book, (50 NIGERIA’S CORPORATE STRATEGISTS, Top CEOs Share Their Experiences in Managing Companies in Nigeria by Mike Awoyinfa and Dimgba Igwe), the legendary lawyer offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of his legal mind. He speaks of the driving principles, and the relentless dedication that defined his approach to law and advocacy. For younger lawyers yearning to make their mark, and even seasoned practitioners seeking a fresh perspective, Gani’s insights remain profoundly relevant and inspiring.
His journey into law was never solely about financial gain or the prestige of the profession. It was deeply rooted in a profound sense of purpose. “My aim of going into legal practice was to use the rule of law to advance a cause,” he stated with characteristic conviction. “From day one, I knew the type of cases I would like to take. I never took or signed what they call retainership. I wanted to be an advocate because I wanted to use advocacy to propagate what I believe in, using the rule of law to fight a cause for social justice, not just legal justice.”
This commitment to a higher purpose was the bedrock of his thinking. It dictated the types of cases he embraced, his fierce independence, and his willingness to confront even the most powerful entities. This principle teaches lawyers that true fulfilment and impact often lie beyond the pursuit of mere financial rewards. It encourages a critical evaluation of the cases one takes, aligning professional endeavours with personal values and a desire to contribute meaningfully to society.
Understand human element in every case and connect
Gani’s empathy for the downtrodden was forged in the crucible of personal experience. He recounted his privileged upbringing followed by the sudden hardship after his father’s death, forcing him to work as a cleaner. “Having experienced the two sides of life, I pitched my tent on the side of the downtrodden, the wretched, the afflicted,” he explained. “So, when I wanted to go into legal practice, I knew where precisely I was going.”
This personal narrative underscores a crucial element of Gani’s thinking: the importance of understanding the human element in every case. It highlights how personal experiences, especially those involving hardship and vulnerability, can cultivate a deeper sense of empathy and a more profound commitment to justice for all, regardless of their social standing. For lawyers, this translates to looking beyond the legal technicalities and connecting with the human stories behind each case.
Appetite for books and more books
Gani’s chambers were legendary for their vast collection of law books. He described his acquisition of legal texts as a “compulsive and uncontrollable desire.” “A lawyer who wants to make it must have an insatiable appetite for books,” he asserted. “Books, books, books, everywhere. Books in my store and in four rooms all littered with books. I love books.”
This passion for legal literature reveals a fundamental aspect of Gani’s intellectual approach: a relentless pursuit of knowledge. He understood that a strong legal mind is built upon a solid foundation of legal principles, precedents, and scholarly analysis. This emphasises the continuous need for lawyers to engage with legal texts, to stay abreast of the latest developments in the law, and to cultivate a deep understanding of legal history and theory.
Take every case as if your life is involved
Gani’s work ethic was legendary. He spoke of working and sleeping in his office for the first five years of his practice, treating every case, no matter how seemingly small, with utmost importance. “For me, every opportunity was a gateway to success,” he stated. “I took every case as very important. Be it a manslaughter case, traffic case, assault case or an affray case; every case was important to me. And that has been my guiding principle all these years: taking every case as if my life is involved. If you brief me, I put myself in your position. Your case becomes my case. If I fail, then my life is diminished. If I win, then my career is boosted.”
This all-encompassing dedication highlights the intensity with which Gani approached his work. It underscores the importance of complete immersion in a client’s case, of treating every legal challenge with the same level of seriousness and commitment. This mindset demands not just intellectual engagement but also an emotional investment in the client’s cause.
Gani’s refusal to accept retainerships stemmed from a deep-seated desire to maintain his independence and the freedom to choose the cases he believed in. “We elect freedom in the choice of cases we take,” he explained. “Every man is influenced by his background. I believe my background has a part to play in moulding my corporate philosophy.”
This strategic decision allowed him to remain unburdened by potential conflicts of interest and to champion causes aligned with his values. This principle emphasises the importance of ethical considerations in building a legal practice. It suggests that while financial stability is important, maintaining intellectual and professional independence allows lawyers to uphold their integrity and to advocate for justice without compromise.
Gani’s approach to managing his lawyers was unconventional but undeniably effective. He pushed them relentlessly, creating a demanding environment designed to forge them into formidable legal practitioners. “I make them sweat and work hard because I want them, when they leave this place, to be masters of the game,” he asserted. “And I am happy that we have produced close to 100 lawyers and none of them is suffering outside this Chambers, working on their own… Because when they were here, I made them sweat. An athlete who works hard and sweats is bound to excel.”
This reveals Gani’s belief in the transformative power of rigorous training and discipline. He understood that true mastery comes through hard work, perseverance, and the willingness to push beyond one’s comfort zone. This principle encourages experienced lawyers to mentor and challenge their younger colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
Nigerian Weekly Law Report
Perhaps Gani’s most enduring contribution to the Nigerian legal profession was the establishment of the Nigerian Weekly Law Report (NWLR). He recognised the inherent inequality created by the limited access to Supreme Court judgments. “In our time, there was nothing like Law Reports,” he recalled. “We went through the mill, through the grill, through the furnace. And that accounted for my going into law publications, so that junior lawyers wouldn’t wade through the obstacles we were faced with… With my Nigerian Weekly Law Report, any lawyer can now start legal practice and confront any SAN or any other lawyer no matter how old. It was not like that when we started. We were handicapped. “The NWLR represents Gani’s commitment to levelling the playing field and empowering all lawyers with equal access to crucial legal information. This act of democratizing legal knowledge underscores the importance of sharing resources and fostering a more equitable legal environment. Today, Gani may be gone but his principles continue to resonate, urging lawyers to be more than just legal practitioners – to be advocates for a better society, driven by purpose and fuelled by an unwavering commitment to truth and justice.