Chief Gani Fawehinmi
The late legal icon was said to have stated in his Last Testament and Will that the chambers, which had handled many cases for individuals and firms from different walks of life, should be wound up within two years of his death.
Our correspondent also gathered that the chambers had written letters to their clients, asking them to collect their case files from the chambers on or before the said January 15.
A copy of the letter dated December 17, 2010 was made available to our correspondent in Lagos on Monday.
The letter titled, "Re-Winding up of Gani Fawehinmi Chambers," reads in part, "In line with the wishes of our late Head of Chambers, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, as contained in his Last Testament and Will that the chambers be wound up literarily within two years of his death, the Gani Fawehinmi Chambers will be wound up on January 15, 2011.
"Consequently, you are advised to collect your case file from the chambers on or before the said date of January 15, 2011.
Fawehinmi was born on April 22, 1938 and died on September 4, 2009 at the age of 71.
But the deceased had in last Will dated December 19, 2008 appointed the First Trustees Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of the First Bank of Nigeria Plc, as the executor and trustee of his vast estate.
The legal luminary further directed in the Will that all his books and the entire library in the chambers should be taken to the new library and gallery in the Nigeria Law Publication House, CBD, Alausa, Ikeja Lagos.
The deceased had in the Will, directed as follows: "I direct my trustee to ensure that all my books and my entire library are taken from my chambers, the Gani Fawehinmi Chambers at 35 Adeniran Ajao Road, Ajao Estate, Anthony Village, Lagos to the new library and gallery in the Nigeria Law Publication House, CBD, Alausa, Ikeja as soon as the building is completed and ready for occupation.
"This direction shall be carried out within seven days of my death if the books have not already been transferred in my lifetime.
"My chambers, the Gani Fawehinmi Chambers, shall be wound up literally within two years after my death.
"I direct my trustee to effect all necessary repairs to my building at Ajao Estate Lagos when it is vacant and after the repairs, the building should be let and the proceeds of the lease should be paid into "Gani Fawehinmi Trust Account.
"My trustees, may in their discretion, convert the building into flats if that would make the property more commercially lettable."
The late Fawehinmi had in April 1965 established his chambers at 116, Denton Street, Ebute-Metta, Lagos just as he moved the chambers to his house at 28, Sabiu Ajose Crescent, Surulere, Lagos in 1974.
He finally moved the chambers in 1978 to its present site at Ajao Estate, Lagos.
The chambers are reputed to be the largest law chambers in Nigeria. It has a collection of over 290,000 law and law-related books on various subjects.
Between 1965 and 2002, the chambers had handled about 5,700 briefs while Fawehinmi had personally practised law and appeared in courts throughout the length and breath of the country.
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