Wednesday, October 8, 2025 - The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating health condition of a Nigerian national, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who has been in detention in the Republic of Benin for almost two years.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Assistant on
Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Magnus Eze, the
government said the detained cleric from Cross River State was being held under
dehumanizing conditions in a Cotonou hospital where his health had continued to
worsen.
“Pastor
Egbaji, a businessman and cleric from Cross River State, has been detained for
about two years in a hospital in Cotonou under dehumanizing conditions while
his health continues to deteriorate,” the statement read.
Naija News reports
that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the Beninese authorities to
release Pastor Egbaji immediately so that he can receive proper medical care
and, if necessary, serve out his sentence in Nigeria under humane conditions.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said the government was alarmed by the steady
decline in Egbaji’s health and had taken diplomatic steps to ensure his
transfer to Nigeria.
“Discussions with the Nigerian Mission in
Cotonou indicate that Pastor Egbaji’s health is steadily worsening and that he
needs urgent and proper medical attention,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
“The Ministry has made spirited efforts to
rescue him in line with the citizen diplomacy thrust of President Bola Tinubu’s
Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who visited Pastor Egbaji in
Cotonou earlier in August alongside Benin’s Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Olushegun Bakari, disclosed that Nigeria had already requested his transfer for
medical treatment and rehabilitation.
She, however, lamented the slow response of Benin’s
government in addressing the issue and urged them to expedite action.
“Nigeria is worried over the slow pace of the
Benin authorities in addressing the situation and acceding to our request,”
the minister stated.
She emphasized that the request was made in good faith,
noting that both nations share a long history of friendly relations, cultural
ties, and mutual respect.
“The longstanding cordial relations between
Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, founded on shared cultural heritage, bonds
of trust, and brotherhood, should guide this humanitarian gesture,” she
added.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu disclosed that Nigeria’s position was
further reinforced in a formal letter sent to the Government of Benin,
reiterating its call for Egbaji’s release or transfer to Nigeria for adequate
care.
She assured that the Ministry would continue diplomatic
engagements until the matter is resolved in accordance with international human
rights norms.
“We remain committed to protecting the rights
and well-being of every Nigerian abroad. No citizen should be left to suffer in
a foreign land without recourse to justice or medical attention,” she
said.
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