A DIRGE FOR CHIEF GANI FAWEHINMI

Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) courtesy Niger Delta Standard

Where Were They?
(A Dirge for Chief Gani Fawehinmi)

Where were they?
When you were trapped with mosquitoes, roaches and lizards in the dungeon
Oppressed by the military, political embezzlers and dangling truncheons
32 times in dark cells with prayers against the bludgeon…
Where were they?
Six times, when Abacha bared his fangs
How many Gulag phones rang?
To ease your family from pain and pang
Where were they?
17 times, when the regime of Babangida sent you to jail,
Relieved to send you to Gashua without daily mails
The Aftermath of sickness without a trail
Where were they?
When cancer engulfed your lung(s)
Now that you’re gone
Who will re-do the wrongs?
Where were they?
When ‘wanted’ Ribadu appeared in your home from exile
Accompanied by Femi Falana, he gave the last salute on the Morgue tile
Woefully, the *IG lied to save his uniform for a while

Where were they?
During your transition to glory
Now the oppressors and dictators need not worry
Shamelessly, they mourned with eulogies without saying sorry.
*Inspector General of Police.

(c) Afro Mum 2009

Human Rights Activists courtesy Vanguard