Bianca Ojukwu Seeks Justice for Nigerian Pastor Jailed in Benin

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has raised concern over the prolonged imprisonment of a Nigerian pastor, Benjamin Egbaji, in the Republic of Benin on rape charges.

Ojukwu said the pastor, who hails from Cross River State, has spent the last two years behind bars under what she described as “unclear circumstances” and is now battling serious health complications. She disclosed that she visited him at the Central National Hospital Universitaire in Cotonou, alongside a team from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and officials of the Nigerian Embassy.

According to her, the sight of Egbaji in the hospital was deeply distressing. “He was in chains even in the hospital, and upon seeing me, he broke down in tears,” she recounted. The minister assured him that the Nigerian government would not abandon him, stressing that steps were being taken to ensure justice.

Egbaji’s ordeal began after allegations were made by a Beninese citizen, Pede Victoire, who claimed he had raped her daughter, Ahouandjinou Dona Sarah, at the age of 13. Ojukwu explained that the claim was neither formally reported nor supported by evidence, and that Sarah herself later refuted the accusation. The matter, she noted, is currently on appeal.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to citizen diplomacy, Ojukwu said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that the welfare of Nigerians abroad remain a top priority. She added that the administration is exploring all diplomatic avenues to resolve the matter in Egbaji’s favour while expressing gratitude to the Beninese government for granting access to the detained pastor.