The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully secured the release of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, a Nigerian clergyman who was serving a 10-year prison sentence in the Republic of Benin. The release was confirmed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, following a presidential pardon granted by Beninese President Patrice Talon.
Pastor Egbaji, a businessman and cleric from Cross River State, had been convicted in July 2024 on charges related to the alleged rape of a minor in 2011. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment along with a financial penalty.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that Egbaji's release on Thursday, January 8, was the result of sustained diplomatic efforts, including her personal visit to him in August 2025. She highlighted that a widely circulated photograph of Egbaji chained to a hospital bed in Cotonou had sparked national concern and accelerated government action.
The minister attributed the successful outcome to President Bola Tinubu's "citizen diplomacy" approach, which prioritizes the protection and welfare of Nigerians abroad as part of the country's foreign policy framework.
During his detention, concerns were raised about Egbaji's deteriorating health, with independent medical experts recommending transfer abroad for treatment. Nigeria had formally appealed to Benin for his repatriation on humanitarian grounds, citing his three-decade residence and contributions to the Beninese community.
Alhaji Mohammad Munir, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in Benin Republic, praised the diplomatic efforts, describing Odumegwu-Ojukwu's intervention as "exceptional" and commending the Tinubu administration for its commitment to diaspora protection.
The release represents a significant diplomatic achievement for Nigeria's foreign service and underscores the government's renewed focus on advocating for citizens detained overseas.
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