FG expresses concern over Nigerian pastor’s health in Benin Republic, seeks his evacuation

The Federal Government has expressed concern over the failing health of a Nigerian pastor, Benjamin Egbaji, currently facing trial in Benin Republic

Egbaji, a businessman and cleric from Cross River State, has for about two years been detained in a hospital in Cotonou, the capital of Benin Republic, under dehumanising conditions while his health deteriorated.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, called on the Benin authorities to release the pastor so that he could have better medical care and also serve out his sentence in Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said discussions with the Nigerian Mission in Cotonou indicated that Pastor Egbaji’s health is steadily worsening, adding that he needs urgent and proper medical attention.

She stated that the ministry had made efforts to rescue Egbaji in line with the citizen diplomacy thrust of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

The minister who in early August visited Egbaji in the Cotonou hospital alongside the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, disclosed that the ministry had requested the transfer of the Nigerian national to receive the deserved medical care and serve out his custodial term in Nigeria.

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Odumegwu-Ojukwu, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by her spokesperson, Dr Magnus Eze, explained that Nigeria was worried over the pace of the Benin authorities in addressing the situation and acceding to its request.

Noting the longstanding cordial relations between Nigeria and Benin Republic, Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged the country to consent to Nigeria’s request and accelerate the release of the detained Nigerian pastor.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also disclosed that Nigeria’s position was further highlighted in a recent letter to Benin Republic Government.

The minister stated: “It is against this backdrop of solidarity and mutual goodwill that I seek Your Excellency’s kind consideration regarding the plight of a Nigerian national, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who has been serving a custodial sentence in Cotonou since October 2023 for a jail term of 10 years.

“As Your Excellency may be aware, Pastor Egbaji has been in Benin Republic for over three decades, contributing meaningfully as an entrepreneur, pastor, and community leader.

“Regrettably, his health has deteriorated severely while in detention. Two independent medical experts appointed by the court recently recommended that he be transferred abroad for urgent medical care, as local interventions have proved ineffective.

“In the spirit of our longstanding friendship and in recognition of the humanitarian imperative, not being unmindful of the grievous nature of the offence he is charged with, we kindly request that Pastor Egbaji be repatriated to Nigeria to serve out the remainder of his sentence in a Nigerian Correctional Centre.”

The Star