The Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation (GAFAMORG) has announced plans for the 16th Chief Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Lecture and the national launch of a landmark civic accountability initiative, the Civil Justice Legacy Project (CJLP).

The announcement was made on Thursday during a press briefing at the International Press Centre, Ogba, Lagos.

“Justice, memory and citizen power must remain central”

Speaking on behalf of the organisation, Comrade Agunbiade Babatunde, Chairman of the GAFAMORG Governing Council, said the new initiative seeks to strengthen public accountability at a time Nigeria is grappling with widespread impunity, mass killings and declining trust in institutions.

The Memorial Lecture and the official unveiling of the CJLP will hold on 18 December 2025 at the NuruDeen Alao Auditorium, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.

What the Civil Justice Legacy Project entails

Described by GAFAMORG as a “long-term, citizen-led platform,” the CJLP aims to ensure justice for victims of abuses and reinforce mechanisms that protect the vulnerable.

The organisation noted that Nigeria is “grieving too many preventable deaths,” citing the state’s inadequate response to extrajudicial killings, mob violence and institutional negligence.

Key components of the CJLP include:

• Civil Justice Tracker (CJT): A public tool for recording and monitoring rights violations and official responses.
• Citizen Auditor Network (CAN): Trained community auditors who will routinely monitor police stations, courts and detention centres.
• Gani Fawehinmi Youth Civil Fellowship: A national programme to develop young lawyers, journalists and civic advocates.
• ACJA/ACJL Simplification Project: Plain-language and multimedia versions of key justice laws, translated into major Nigerian languages.

The pilot phase will run in Kaduna and Lagos—Kaduna for conflict accountability, Lagos for urban justice reform.

September 5 to become National Day of Remembrance

In one of its most significant proposals, GAFAMORG declared 5 September as the National Civil Day of Remembrance for Victims of Mass Killings, Extrajudicial Killings, Mob Actions and Impunity.

The organisation urged governments at all levels, civil society, religious leaders, private sector actors and the media to adopt and observe the date annually.

Proposed activities include:

• Official government recognition of September 5
• A nationwide one-minute silence at noon
• Wearing a special Emblem of Remembrance
• Public events promoting solutions to mass violence and justice reform

“This is not only an act of memory, it is an act of accountability,” GAFAMORG said. “To never forget, to demand justice, and to end the atrocious killings that plague our communities.”

Roll of Honour to document victims

As part of the CJLP, GAFAMORG will publish a Roll of Honour documenting victims of mass killings, extrajudicial executions and mob violence. A partial list will be shared with accredited editors in a closed session.

The organisation emphasised that each entry is verified and guided by consent and privacy protocols, stressing that the Roll is a humanitarian and legal record—not a political tool.

Calls for nationwide support

GAFAMORG urged federal and state governments to back the CJLP and adopt the National Civil Day of Remembrance. It also encouraged judicial and security institutions to engage with the project’s research and data mechanisms.

Civil society groups and the media were urged to deepen investigative reporting, protect sources and amplify verified evidence, while donors and corporate partners were invited to support the project’s technology, legal literacy and fellowship programmes.

A full list of partners will be announced at the December 18 event.

Line-up for the 16th Memorial Lecture

This year’s lecture will feature leading jurists, rights advocates and scholars. Confirmed participants include:

• Femi Falana (SAN) – Chair of Occasion
• Dr. Osagie Obayuwama – Keynote Speaker
• Prof. Akin Ibidapo-Obe
• Affiong Affiong
• Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN)
• …and others.