The Gani Fawehinmi family on Thursday confirmed the report that the son of the legal luminary, Muhammed Fawehinmi died of complications from Covid-19.

Even though the family had earlier claimed that Mohammed died of an undisclosed ailment at a private hospital in Lagos, however, reported that he died of complications arising from Covid-19.

However, addressing a journalists yesterday at their Remi Fani-Kayode Street, Ikeja GRA residence, Saheed Fawehinmi, who is the younger brother of the deceased, confirmed that Mohammed died from COVID-19 related complications.

According to him, the family could not immediately disclose the cause of Mohammed’s death because they

wanted the information to be based on factual medical details especially as may be contained in the death certificate.

He lamented that his late brother, Mohammed, was not vaccinated against COVID-19 disease.

Today, however, we are in a position to inform you that our dear brother died from COVID-19 related complications,

he said.

The cardinal point of this press conference is to tell Nigerians that we have to get this vaccine. It is better to tread the path of caution because if he (Mohammed) had taken the vaccine, maybe he would have been alive today.

Arising from this, we want to use this opportunity to urge all Nigerians to take necessary precautions to avoid being infected by the deadly disease including but not limited to taking the required doses of Covid-19 vaccine, correctly wearing face masks, regularly sanitising, regularly washing hands with soap and maintaining social distancing amidst crowds.

Saheed, on behalf of the family, also urged the government to step up its public enlightenment on the deadly disease so that many more Nigerians, especially those whose immune system could easily be compromised because of underlying illnesses can take the safety measures enumerated above.

Additionally, and in line with our late brother’s consistent advocacy, we call on the Federal and state governments, to invest more in health care. In particular, we urge the government to do all that is necessary to end the ongoing strike by members of the National Association of Resident Doctors,

he added.

He said the late Mohammed was everything to the family adding that his commitment to the family and their community in Ondo was second to none.

He said Muhammed did not allow his situation to incapacitate him noting that

What most men would not do standing, he did on the wheelchair.

Speaking on the burial arrangements for his late brother, Saheed said the programme would l start with a service of songs and the night of tributes on Wednesday, August 25 at the Archbishop Vining Cathedral in Ikeja from 4 to 7 pm.

The two events will be divided into two halves. The night of tributes will enable friends, associates, partners, comrades, human rights activists, pro-democracy, trade union, and socialist groups to pay their tribute.

In the morning of Friday, August 27, 2021, the remains of our brother would be interred at the Gani Fawehinmi family compound in Ondo after a brief funeral service.

We welcome those who will like to identify with us during these ceremonies but in view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic we would ideally appreciate it if the crowd is limited,

he stated.

Mohammed, 52, died on Wednesday, August 11 in a Lagos hospital. He had earlier complained of having difficulties in breathing.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.