Richard Akinnola
Following one of Gani Fawehinmi’s long detentions under the IBB regime, just like the current Ooni intervened on behalf of Dele Farotimi in the legal tango with Aare Afe Babalola, the then Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuade, similarly intervened to get Gani Fawehinmi released.
The military junta insisted on a guarantor that Gani would be of “good behavior”. The Ooni made himself the guarantor. Gani was subsequently released to him on October 10, 1989.
Hear Gani at the palace of the Ooni:
“Kabiyesi, l thank you. I don’t know how to express my gratitude to kabiyesi but l now know how to recognize a true leader when l see him. Kabiyesi has shown tremendous leadership in this matter. In any way, he has justified his pre-eminent position in this country. On August 4 this year, that was my first realization of the efforts of kabiyesi, when l saw our elder lawyer, our brother lawyer, Ayo Adebanjo and my wife. They told me the details of the efforts made by Kabiyesi. I told them to help me thank Kabiyesi. Although as a traditional leader, you are not expected to be in politics, this is an exemplary and highly unprecedented leadership action you have shown. Honestly, l did not expect it because of what happened at a particular time and l would like to disclose what happened because l like to be frank. I was counsel against Kabiyesi when that stool was being fought over in this town. I was counsel to his opponents.”
On how he was released to the Ooni as he later disclosed, Gani said: “We were going on and on and we suddenly got to Ile- Ife and l asked ‘ are we going to ilorin or which prison this time? Then, l just saw kabiyesi’s palace. I said Ooo, they want to surrender me to the leader of Yorubas.’
He then met the Ooni and he prostrated flat on the floor.
Gani was later to fall out with the Ooni over the June 12 saga for supporting Abacha.
-Richard Akinnola
*Afe Babalola/Dele Farotimi legal tango: The Ooni’ s intervention and a historical parallel