The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has raised an alarm over the plight of a Nigerian clergyman, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji from Cross River State, who has been held under questionable circumstances in the Republic of Benin for nearly two years.
Egbaji, who resides in the Benin Republic, was accused of rape after one Mrs. Pede Victoire claimed that he raped her daughter, Ahouandjinou Dona Sarah, when she was 13 years old.
He was arrested in May 2023 and has remained in detention since then. However, according to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the situation took a surprising turn when Sarah herself came forward to refute the allegation of rape.
The minister said Pastor Benjamin, who is hypertensive, reportedly suffered a blood pressure surge as high as 254/136, prompting the Medical Director of the Central National Hospital Universitaire, Hubert K. Maga, to raise an alarm that unless he is released for proper diagnosis and treatment within two weeks, he might suffer tragic consequences.
However, Ojukwu, who visited Egbaji at the Central National Hospital Universitaire in Cotonou alongside officials of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassy staff, described the scene as disturbing and “deeply heartbreaking.”
According to her, the pastor was found lying in chains despite being in a hospital ward for critical health treatment.
“I was shaken by the sight that confronted me as I walked into the hospital ward in Cotonou where he is presently receiving treatment,” she said.
“He was in chains even in the hospital, and upon seeing me, he broke down in tears.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said she assured the cleric, saying, “Your Country has not abandoned you. Your government is committed to ensuring that justice is done in this matter.”
She added that the visit to Egbaji was facilitated by the cooperation of the Benin Republic’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Justice, who granted the Nigerian delegation swift access to the ailing detainee.
Ojukwu explained: “Following a petition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about a Nigerian national, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji from Cross River State, who has been imprisoned for the past two years in the Republic of Benin on charges of rape, I visited the Central National Hospital Universitaire, Benin Republic, with a team from our ministry, as well as the hard-working CDA and officers of the Nigeria Embassy in Benin.
“The pastor, who has been detained under unclear circumstances for close to two years, is facing critical health challenges.”
“The accusations against Pastor Benjamin were made by Pede Victoire, a citizen of Benin, who claimed that Benjamin raped her daughter, Ahouandjinou Dona Sarah, when she was just 13 years old,” she said.
“This claim, however, was never reported or formally complained about, and no evidence has been presented to substantiate these allegations.”
According to the Nigerian minister, the “matter is presently on appeal”.
“Consequently, the government is exploring all options and utilising all diplomatic ties and channels available to ensure that justice is done in the case of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji,” she said.
“We also extend our thanks to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Benin Republic, who accompanied us on the visit, as well as the Minister of Justice and the Government of Benin, for the kind courtesies extended to our delegation by facilitating access to Pastor Benjamin Egbaji within such short notice.”
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