Nigerians have staged a peaceful protest at the Embassy of Benin Republic in Abuja, demanding the release of a Nigerian cleric, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who has been in prolonged detention in Benin Republic without trial.
The protesters said Egbaji, a native of Cross River State, who oversees a church, Église De Miracle Et Action Du Saint Esprit, in Benin, has been in detention for over a year after he was accused of rape by Pede Victoire, a citizen of the Republic of Benin. The protesters, wielding various placards with different inscriptions, condemned what they described as mistreatment of Nigerians in Benin amid the growing frustration of Nigerians over this ill-treatment, adding that Egbaji, even while in the hospital, was still shackled with chains.
Speaking to journalists at the Embassy, the international director of Dynamic Ambassadors for Social Transformation and Orientation Initiatives, Ayobamidele Kehinde, noted that Pastor Egbaji has been languishing in Benin’s detention for over a year without trial.
Kehinde said the attacks against Nigerians, especially those of Igbo extraction in the French-speaking country, have assumed xenophobic proportions even as he lamented that the Nigerian government has not intervened in this matter.
He said, “The accusations against Pastor Benjamin were made by Pede Victoire, who claimed that he raped her daughter, Ahouandjinou Dona Sarah, when she was just 13 years old.
“However, this claim was never formally reported, and no evidence has been presented to substantiate these allegations.
“Attempts to secure bail for Pastor Benjamin Egbaji have been unsuccessful due to the lack of action from the Nigerian government.”
Kehinde said Egbaji had made enormous contributions to the economy of the Benin Republic over the past 30 years and made personal sacrifices, including suffering tragedies such as the deaths of his wife and adopted daughter, stressing that he does not deserve such treatment.
He denounced the lack of support from the Nigerian government, stating, “We cannot claim to be members of ECOWAS and suffer like this. We have intel that the judge is under pressure to sentence Benjamin to ten years imprisonment. Visit their prisons and see how Nigerians are languishing there.”
After submitting a petition to the embassy, Barrister Joseph B. Ayi told reporters that a medical report indicated Egbaji, who is hypertensive, has blood pressure levels of 254/136, putting him at risk of a stroke or cardiac arrest.
“We have submitted our petition to the embassy, and they have promised to take action on the matter before the end of the day,” Ayi said.
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