According to them, during the press conference today, the newly constructed building, identified as ‘APARTMENT’, was constructed without proper setbacks, as a result resting on the fence of Fawehinmi’s residence at No. 9 Ademola Close, off Fani Kayode Street.

The coalition lamented the situation as a development that has reawakened the struggles the family of the deceased human rights activist faced while he was alive, stating it is expected that such harassment should not be occurring to the family despite their sacrifice for the country’s democracy.

The coalition further explained that the structure built has put Gani Fawehinmi’s house in imminent danger, as the fence protecting his house could collapse, noting that a 1000-litre capacity water tank installed right on top of this 4-storey structure collapsed three times and has fallen into Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s compound from this same apartment, thereby demonstrating the critical nature of this issue.

“ This is because an individual or group of individuals, either acting in utter contempt of the rules and regulations guiding property development in Lagos State or acting in connivance with unscrupulous government officials, have decided to erect a four-storey hotel – a so-called apartment – right by the fence protecting the front part of Chief Gani’ house in Ikeja GRA. So brazen were the daredevil builders or developers that they ignored family warnings and chose to build their structure almost on top of Chief Gani’s fence.

“It is possible that they believe they are above the law. Or perhaps they bear some grudge against Chief Gani and his family and therefore do not see anything wrong in their brazen act of recklessness and injustice. But, whoever they think they are and whatever their motive, our stance is that this injustice should not, cannot and must not be allowed to stand. 

“Dear colleagues, aside from the fact that the fence protecting Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s house faces imminent collapse, we wish to inform you that a 1000-litre capacity water tank installed right on top of this 4-storey structure has thrice collapsed and fallen into Chief Gani Fawehinmi’s compound from this same apartment. Fortunately, these incidents have not yet resulted in any injuries or fatalities. But these repeated incidents themselves show without doubt how dangerously close this structure is to Chief Gani’s house and demonstrate the critical nature of this issue, as the lives of Chief Gani’s family members are indeed in clear danger.

“It was only providential that the cited incidents have so far not led to fatalities. We would rather not wait until any such catastrophe occurs before taking action. We have, therefore, chosen to speak out now before deadlier incidents occur,” the statement reads.

Insisting that the building has violated the Lagos State urban development, the coalition called for the demolition of the multi-storey building, as it does not meet the three-metre space setback requirements from the government.

“The so-called apartment building should be pulled down, as the construction violates Lagos State urban development and building regulations, particularly about the mandatory setback requirement of at least three metres of space in between buildings.

“The so-called apartment building should be pulled down because it menacingly towers above Chief Gani’s compound and could provide a haven for anyone with criminal and sinister intent against the family, especially given the commercial nature of the property, which means that anyone with such sinister intentions can gain access to the building.

“The so-called apartment building should be pulled down because it constitutes a permanent threat to the security and safety of lives and property in Chief Gani’s house,” they said.

Speaking at the press conference, the human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, further told the journalists that several actions had been taken to prevent the building from being fully constructed, but the owners remained adamant until it reached its completion.

“Before now, we gave proper warnings to the owner of the building, but all the warnings were ignored, and you know that in this society, people believe that once you can bribe your way, they can have their way,” he lamented.