From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has told a Nigerian pastor, Benjamin Egbaji, incarcerated in the Republic of Benin, that the Nigerian government has not abandoned him.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu, according to a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, stated this when she visited Egbaji in Cotonou.

Eze said Egbaji has been incarcerated for two years, following complications in litigation against him.

The minister restated that citizen diplomacy remained a major component of the 4-Ds foreign policy approach of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration, comprising Democracy, Demography, Diaspora, and Development.

Eze, in the statement, said: “Egbaji, who has been detained in the prison and the National Teaching Hospital, Cotonou, faced charges including an allegation that he raped a 13-year-old girl, Bright Sarah Karls, in 2011.

“He was arrested and detained on May 17, 2023, and was taken to prison two days later, resulting in his deteriorating health condition in Cotonou.

“On 24th July, 2024, Egbaji was convicted of the charge and sentenced to 10 years in prison in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

“He was ordered to pay a fine of three thousand three hundred dollars ($3,300) to Sarah Ahouandjinou (f), and another three thousand three hundred dollars ($3,300) to the Benin National Institute for Women Affairs (INF).

“Born in 1965, Egbaji, who hails from Cross River State, has lived in Benin Republic for the last 30 years.”

Eze further said Egbaji ran a successful real estate firm and a pastoral ministry in addition to being an entrepreneur.

“In 2020, he contacted the Nigerian Embassy regarding a matter involving his assets and asked for the Embassy’s presence before the court’s decision.

“The Embassy was represented by the consular desk officer, and Egbaji prevailed in the case against a Beninese national known as Pede Victoire (f).

“Every supporting document that was provided to the court was authentic and relevant.

“Later, Egbaji notified the Embassy that Victoire had encouraged certain individuals to visit his church and cause disturbance, which he had also reported to the Beninese police authority.

“Victoire was a member of Egbaji’s church and had allegedly gone after the pastor when he declined to pursue a relationship with her.

“She targeted his properties as a way of retaliation after he rejected her advances.

“Victoire had also allegedly procured a second complaint against Egbaji, who claimed that he had sexually abused 13-year-old Sarah Karls,” Eze stated.

He added that the court had freed Egbaji of the allegations by his accuser, Victoire, but unfortunately, as he was leaving the court premises, he was rearrested on allegations of rape.

“Victoire reportedly opened the same case at the prosecutor tribunal in Porto-Novo, Benin Republic, using her connections.

“After being detained by Akpro-Misserete prison, he fell sick on October 25, 2023, and was admitted at the National Teaching Hospital (CNHU) for treatment.

“Since then, the Nigerian Embassy in Cotonou has, through the host Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant government representatives in the country, made fruitless attempts to help Egbaji regain his freedom,” Eze added.

Eze also said Odumegwu-Ojukwu had, during her visit on Saturday, August 2, assured the troubled pastor that the country had not abandoned him.

She informed Egbaji that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians were aware of his case, adding that it was consistent with the citizen diplomacy mantra of the present administration to protect every Nigerian citizen anywhere they are found in the world.

“I want to assure you that Nigeria hasn’t forgotten you; Nigerians are aware of your case, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is aware. We are committed to the wellbeing of every Nigerian. That is what citizen diplomacy is all about. That is why we have said we must visit you.

“It is not a hopeless situation; we must do everything to ensure that you get justice. We are following due process to ensure that you don’t suffer unduly. So, as a government, we are duty-bound to protect every Nigerian citizen. Your suffering will soon be over; just be a little more patient for the processes to be concluded,” the minister urged Egbaji.

Eze disclosed that, visibly overwhelmed by the minister’s visit, Egbaji sobbed uncontrollably while the minister consoled him.

He pointed repeatedly to the reading of his blood pressure, which had remained alarming.

Meanwhile, Egbaji’s case is at the appeal level, following his conviction by the lower court.

Reacting to the development, the President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Republic of Benin Chapter, Alhaji Mohammad Munir, commended Odumegwu-Ojukwu for the timely and compassionate visit.

Munir said that Odumegwu-Ojukwu has displayed uncommon commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerians in the diaspora.

He extolled President Tinubu for the effort in protecting Nigerians outside the shores of Nigeria and urged that more diplomatic approaches be deployed, especially in rescuing innocent Nigerians incarcerated in foreign prisons.

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