Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu has visited Benjamin Egbaji, a Nigerian pastor in incarceration for two years in the Republic of Benin following complications in litigations against him.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by Dr. Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Abuja
The Minister used the opportunity to reaffirm that citizen diplomacy remains a major component of the 4-Ds foreign policy approach of the Renewed Hope Agenda Administration comprising Democracy, Demography, Diaspora and Development.
Egbaji, who has been detained in the prison at the National Teaching Hospital, Cotonou, faced charges including allegation that he raped a 13-year-old girl, Bright Sarah Karls in 2011.
He was arrested and detained on May 17, 2023, and was taken to prison two days later, resulting in his deteriorating health condition in Cotonou. His case is at the appeal level following his conviction by the lower court.
However, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Odumegwu-Ojukwu during the visit on Saturday, August 2, assured the troubled pastor that the country had not abandoned him.
She informed Egbaji that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians were aware of his case, adding that it was consistent with the citizen’s diplomacy mantra of the present administration to protect every Nigerian citizen anywhere he is found in the world.
“I want to assure you that Nigeria hasn’t not forgotten you; Nigerians are aware of your case, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is aware. We are committed to the wellbeing of every Nigeria-that’s what citizen diplomacy is all about. That’s why we have said we must visit you.
“It’s not a hopeless situation; we must do everything to ensure that you get justice. We are following due process to ensure that you don’t suffer unduly. So, as a government, we are duty-bound to protect every Nigeria citizen. Your suffering will soon be over; just be a little more patient for the processes to be concluded,” the minister urged Egbaji.
Egbaji, who was moved by emotion, following the minister’s visit, sobbed uncontrollably while the former consoled him. He pointed repeatedly to the reading of his blood pressure which had remained alarming.
On 24th July, 2024, Egbaji was convicted of the charge and sentenced to 10 years in prison in Cotonou, Benin Republic. He was ordered to pay a fine of three thousand three hundred dollars ($3,300) to Sarah Ahouandjinou (f), and another three thousand three hundred dollars ($3,300) to the Benin National Institute for Women Affairs (INF).
Born in 1965, Egbaji who hails from Cross River State, has lived in Benin Republic for the last 30 years. He ran a successful real estate firm and a pastoral ministry in addition to being an entrepreneur. In 2020, he contacted the Nigerian Embassy regarding a matter involving his assets and asked for the Embassy’s presence before the court’s decision.
The Embassy was represented by the consular desk officer, and Egbaji prevailed in the case against a Beninese national known as Pede Victoire (f). Every supporting document that was provided to the court was authentic and relevant. Later, Egbaji notified the Embassy that Victoire had encouraged certain individuals to visit his church and cause disturbance which he had also reported to the Beninese police authority.
Victorie was a member Egbaji’s church and had allegedly gone after the pastor when he declined to “pursue a relationship with her.” She targeted his properties as a way of retaliation after he rejected her advances. Victorie had also allegedly procured a second complaint against Egbaji, who claimed that he had sexually abused 13-year-old Sarah Karls.
The court had freed Egbaji of the allegations by his traducer, Victorie, but unfortunately, as he was leaving the court premises, he was rearrested on allegations of rape.
Victorie reportedly opened the same case at the prosecutor tribunal in Port Novo, Benin Republic, using her connections. After being detained by Akpro-Misserete prison, he fell sick on October 25, 2023, and was admitted at the National Teaching Hospital (CNHU) for treatment.
Since then, the Nigerian Embassy in Cotonou had through host Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant government representatives in the country, made fruitless attempts to help Egbaji regain his freedom.
Reacting to the development, President, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Republic of Benin chapter, Alhaji Mohammad Munir, commended the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for the timely and compassionate visit.
Munir said that Amb. Odumegwu-Ojukwu has displayed uncommon commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerians in diaspora.
He extolled President Tinubu for the effort in protecting Nigerians outside the shores of Nigeria and urged that more diplomatic approaches be deployed especially in rescuing innocent Nigerians being incarcerated foreign prisons.
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