Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, has visited Benjamin Egbaji, a Nigerian pastor who has been imprisoned in the Republic of Benin for two years. She reassured him of the Nigerian government’s commitment to his case.
The visit underscores the federal government’s “citizen diplomacy” policy, a core pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” foreign policy, which also focuses on Democracy, Demography, Diaspora, and Development. Egbaji, who has been living in Benin for 30 years as an entrepreneur and pastor, was arrested on May 17, 2023.
He was later convicted on July 24, 2024, of a 2011 rape charge involving a 13-year-old girl, Bright Sarah Karls and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was also ordered to pay fines of $3,300 each to the victim’s family and a national women’s institute. Egbaji’s health has reportedly deteriorated since his incarceration, with part of his detention spent in a Cotonou hospital.
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The minister’s visit, according to a statement from her spokesperson, Dr Magnum Eze, conveyed a message of hope and support to Egbaji. Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated that Tinubu and the Nigerian populace were aware of his plight and that the government was dedicated to protecting the welfare of every Nigerian citizen abroad.
“We want to assure you that Nigeria has not forgotten you,” the minister said.
“It’s 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.”
She urged Egbaji to be patient as the government works to conclude the necessary processes.
The minister’s visit signals a clear commitment from the Nigerian government to engage directly in the cases of its citizens facing legal challenges in other countries.
