The Federal Government of Nigeria has raised serious concerns over the deteriorating health condition of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, a Nigerian national currently facing trial and serving a custodial sentence in the Republic of Benin.
Pastor Egbaji, a businessman and cleric from Cross River State, has reportedly been held in a hospital facility in Cotonou for nearly two years under what officials described as “dehumanising conditions,” as his health continue to decline.
Speaking on the matter, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, appealed to the Beninese authorities to allow for Pastor Egbaji’s immediate repatriation to Nigeria for urgent medical attention and to serve the remainder of his sentence in a Nigerian correctional facility.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu revealed that despite ongoing diplomatic efforts through the Nigerian Mission in Cotonou, Pastor Egbaji’s condition has worsened. Two independent medical experts appointed by the court have recommended his transfer abroad due to the ineffectiveness of available treatment options in Benin.
The Minister, who personally visited Pastor Egbaji in Cotonou in August alongside Benin’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, emphasized that the request aligned with the citizen diplomacy focus of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She stressed that while Nigeria acknowledged the gravity of the charges against Egbaji, the humanitarian imperative of his health condition demanded urgent intervention.
“In the spirit of our longstanding friendship and in recognition of humanitarian concerns, we kindly request that Pastor Egbaji be repatriated to Nigeria to serve out the remainder of his sentence,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said in a formal letter addressed to the Beninese Government.
She highlighted Egbaji’s long-standing contributions to the Republic of Benin, where he has lived for over three decades as a pastor, entrepreneur, and community leader.
The Federal Government urged Benin to expedite the process, reiterating the bonds of trust, shared cultural heritage, and mutual respect between the two West African neighbours.
“This gesture would demonstrate in practical terms the enduring spirit of fraternity and cooperation that bind Nigeria and the Republic of Benin,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu concluded.
