The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has assured a detained Nigerian pastor, Benjamin Egbaji, that the Federal Government remains committed to protecting his rights and wellbeing, despite his ongoing incarceration in the Republic of Benin.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu gave this assurance during a compassionate visit to Pastor Egbaji at the Akpro-Misserete Prison and National Teaching Hospital in Cotonou on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Egbaji, who has lived in Benin for over 30 years, was arrested in May 2023 and sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of raping a 13-year-old girl—charges he strongly denies.
During the emotional encounter, the Minister told the distraught pastor that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians are fully aware of his plight. “Nigeria hasn’t forgotten you. Nigerians are aware of your case; the President is aware. It’s not a hopeless situation—we must do everything to ensure you get justice,” she stated.
Egbaji, who appeared overwhelmed by the visit, broke down in tears, pointing to his consistently high blood pressure readings and deteriorating health condition. The minister reassured him that the Tinubu administration’s citizen diplomacy mantra under the 4-Ds foreign policy—Democracy, Demography, Diaspora, and Development—means no Nigerian would be abandoned, especially when in distress abroad.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Dr. Magnus Eze, Egbaji’s conviction came after a prolonged legal battle involving allegations from a former church member, Pede Victoire, whom the pastor had previously defeated in a property dispute in court. Following that, Egbaji was rearrested over new rape allegations tied to the same accuser's network.
Reacting to the visit, President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Republic of Benin chapter, Alhaji Mohammad Munir, lauded the Minister for her timely and humane intervention. He described her actions as “uncommon commitment” to the welfare of Nigerians abroad, while also praising President Tinubu’s efforts to protect the dignity of citizens outside the country.
The case is currently at the appeal stage, with hopes rising that renewed diplomatic efforts may pave the way for justice and eventual release.