The group, Leadwell Africa Global Initiative In Collaboration with the Nigeria Clerics Council of Bishops, and Imams 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 Convener, Leadwell Africa Global Initiative In Collaboration with the Nigeria Clerics Council of Bishops, and Imams, Archbishop Dr. Bony L Sunny, congratulated President Patrice Talon, of the Republic of Benin for elected as the President of the Republic of Benin.
He said, “I write you this letter of appeal on behalf of one of our Nigerian brother in the Lord who is also working in the Lord’s vineyard in your country that has been arrested and prosecuted maliciously and has also been in detention for over a year in your country by name Pastor Emmanuel Egbaji.
The group highlighted that Pastor Benjamin Egbaji is a Nigeria Citizen who is an entrepreneur and Pastor carrying out lawful businesses in the area of Real Estate Commerce and Pastoral Ministry in Benin Republic.
He said, “through the Mercy and favour of God Almighty the said Mr. Benjamin Egbaji has prospered and become wealthy through his lawful transactions in the aforementioned business.”
“In the course of time, some of his associates and business partners who are citizens of Benin Republic became jealous and envious of his progress in pastoral ministry/business and embarked on the unlawful act of blackmail, Intimidation and False accusation of rape to run him down and his business in Benin Republic.”
“That, he took legal step to report the unlawful act of the said business associates and partners to the police authority in Abonmey-Calavi le on 16th of December, 2021 and made a formal complaint of blackmail, intimidation and defamation of character against them.
However,” the said matter was charged to tribunal De premier instance Abomey Calavi where he was the plaintiff to the said matter.”
“In order to frustrate the prosecution or the trial of the defendants of the instance case, on the 17th date of May, 2023 he was arrested by Benin Republic police authority over false allegation of rape filed by defendants of the aforementioned case in the court room before the judge during the court proceeding and taken to another court at court (CRIET) COUR De Repression Des Infraction Economique Et Du Terrorisme and later remanded in prison custody.”
He lamented that since then he has been held in prison custody for 12 months without trial which has caused him ill health and his health condition has continued to deteriorate everyday to the extent that his blood pressure has raised between 202/138 and 206/128 which is very dangerous for his survival if he remains in prison.
He further started, ” the medical doctor attending to him said, such health condition can cause either stroke or heart attack if not treated urgently and properly.
“Attempts to secure bail for him on medical grounds, ill health or on compassionate grounds to enable him to travel out of Benin Republic for treatment has proved abortive.
The group appealed for Presidential and Diplomatic intervention by the Government of the Republic of Benin to set him free to attend to his failing health. “That, through your Excellency, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji should be given fair hearing and fair trial on the complaint against him by the Benin Republic Authorities.”
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