Femi Falana (SAN), renowned human rights lawyer and activist, is founder, Falana and Falana Chambers. Falana has been in active legal practice since early 80s, during which time he has earned some plaudits as well as suffered a lot of privations more than he is willing to admit. In this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf he speaks on his over three decade’s career in the legal profession, his management style, relationship with his staff, among others
TO say that Mr. Femi Falana is a legal colossus is certainly stating the obvious. Truth is the Ilawe-Ekiti born activist has come to symbolise for many, the quintessential lawyer every aspiring member of the learnered profession wants to be like.
The reason for this is not far to seek: This man has paid his dues as well as won numerous awards locally and internationally for his activism. Falana is renowned for providing free legal services to the poor and disadvantaged and had suffered long spells in detention under Nigeria’s past military dictators. Thus, he has become a household name today for managing one of the successful law firms in Africa as well as a mighty force to reckon with both within and outside the shores of the country.
Falana who set up private practice, Femi Falana Chambers, which later became Falana and Falana Chambers in 1991, after cutting his professional teeth at the Chambers of Alao Aka-Bashorun, a renowned legal activist in 1983, is a force to reckon with on account of his growing fame and popularity in the legal profession.
An individual many in the corridors of power love to hate for being a dyed in the wool critic, Falana has stood true to his ideals over the years.
Drawing inspirations from other leading lights like the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi and other kindred spirit, Falana’s decision to join in the struggle for the emancipation of the downtrodden in the society has always been for clearly altruistic motives.
His petit size notwithstanding, Falana has always been vocal, fighting for the cause of others.
The stormy petrel as many of his fans are wont to call him, even as a student leader at the then University of Ile Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, he stood his ground against oppression from the successive military governments.
As a youth corps member, he handled the case of seven University of Ibadan students who were arrested for protesting for their rights.
He succeeded in securing their freedom and he became a human rights activist as early as 1983 when he took bail for the students who had been unlawfully remanded in prison custody.
Falana revealed that this incident led to his not being issued a discharge certificate by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) after his one year mandatory national service.
“I was a student leader at that time and we had to address the welfare of citizens. We had to address the future of the Nigerian youths, we had to fight for free education, against commercialisation of education.
“In order to secure the struggle I was attacked by the government, my life was at risk while in school. The NYSC refused to release my certificate because of my struggle for a good society.
“But I didn’t have to beg anybody. I didn’t need it to work because the chamber that employed me knew that I had completed my service. They knew that my service was not extended only that I was being punished by the Nigerian State unjustly for fighting for the right of the people. So I had no problem at all and I didn’t get the certificate until about 18 years later during the proceedings of the Justice Chwukwudifo Oputa Panel on Human Rights Violation in 2001.
“Between 1984 and 1999 when we had uninterrupted military dictatorship of 15 years, my right to liberty, my right to dignity and freedom of movement was seriously abused and of course my right to life was endangered. I faced a lot of risks, but it’s just by sheer luck that I am still alive. I was charged on many occasions, even for the most serious offences under the criminal law such as treasonable felony.
“There was a time no landlord would give me a house for fear of being either intimidated by the government or having their houses bombarded although some of these embarrassing situations also contributed to my effort in ensuring that I owned my own property or else one would have had his family thrown out. So it has been a very challenging journey.”
Naturally, you would expect that for a man who has recorded such remarkable feat in a profession with the highest attrition rate especially for individuals who like Falana are tagged ‘enemies of the state’ because of their perceived antagonism of bad government policies, he would have a very high opinion of himself, but not for him is such immodesty.
He attributes his successes thus far to providence.
“Whatever success I have recorded is by God’s grace. But I can tell you that the secret is hard work, and dedication. Actually, my wife, Funmi joined me to manage the office and that gives me time for my other national commitments.”
But as to why he yielded the management of his law firm to his wife, the former president of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers as well as former chairman of the West African Bar Association, WABA, deadpans: “My wife, Funmi Falana, a partner at the Falana and Falana Chambers is the head of the chambers. I discover that she is more meticulous and more organised than I am. And don’t forget, she is a lawyer. So, she manages the chambers. I only give a helping hand every once in a while.”
On his relationship with his staff, he said he doesn’t apply the stick and carrot approach. Rather what obtains is a close-relationship with his members of staff.
“We are very close. We’re friendly and we encourage staff to discuss their problems and we look for solutions to them. We could do much better.”
On his management mantra, he said respect for others is paramount.
“We delegate functions and simply supervise, and at other times we try to micromanage. And of course, it has worked for us tremendously.”
He wa,s however, quick to add that “In fact, in legal practice there is nobody who can do it alone. And I’m very happy that we have very competent colleagues in the office who put in their best at all times.”
As the boss around, the toughest decision he has had to take over the years was letting staff go.
“Asking a very close colleague to leave the chambers is always a very tough decision or when you lose a very close colleague.”
But thankfully, he said the relationship with old staff has always been cordial.
“We have very good relationship with old staff. As lawyers, we still give cases to some of our colleagues who have left for their own practice. We discuss and there are times we also handle cases together even when they have left.”
For aspiring young lawyers desirous of going into private practice, he said their watchword should be focus and determination.
“It is for them to define their goal and then work towards achieving the goal. They must learn to respect colleagues who work with them and be free with them as well as ensure that they are close.”
On insinuations that lawyers hardly retire, he would not subscribe to that.
“Oh, there are lawyers who retire. There is no way you won’t retire in an underdeveloped society like our own. Why shouldn’t a lawyer retire?”
As to whether he has an exit strategy or succession yet, he answered in the negative.
“I haven’t seriously addressed that,” he confessed.
“Right now my wife works in the chambers. I have two children who are lawyers but neither of them wants to practice law. And I’m not losing any sleep over that, you know because my father wasn’t a lawyer. I haven’t addressed the question of exit strategy. I believe that water would always find its level…(laughs).
