Nigerian Minister Cries Over Chained Nigerian-born Pastor In Republic Of Benin

By Adesina Soyooye

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, was shocked, and teared-up, almost, at a hospital in the Republic of Benin, when he saw the condition of a Nigerian- born Pastor.

Pastor Benjamin Egbaji has been in jail in that country for two years.

His problem began when one Pede Victoire, mother of a minor, 13 years, Ahouandjinou Dona Sarah, alleged that the Pastor had a forceful intimate affair with her daughter. This claim was not reported, collaborated by anybody, including the minor who said nothing of that nature happened, and strongly refuted her mother’s claims.

But the Pastor was all the same jailed, and his case on appeal. His health has deteriorated in the two years he has been in custody. Presently, he is hospitalised. It is in the hospital that Odumegwu-Ojukwu went with her team to visit him.

On seeing him, chained to his hospital bed, his bad health condition notwithstanding, the Minister lost it at the Central National Hospital Universitaire.

She wrote in a post:

“I was shaken by the sight that confronted me as I walked into the hospital ward in Cotonou where he is presently receiving treatment.

“He was in chains even in the hospital, and upon seeing me, he broke down in tears.”

But, she consoled him:

‘‘Your Country has not abandoned you. Your government is committed to ensuring that justice is done in this matter”, she reassured the Pastor who is a native of Cross River State.

On what led to the Pastor’s imprisonment under unclear and controversial circumstances, Odumegwu-Ojukwu narrated:

“The accusations against Pastor Benjamin were made by Pede Victoire, a citizen of Benin who claimed that Benjamin has r@ped her daughter, Ahouandjinou Dona Sarah, when she was just 13 years old.

“This claim, however, was never reported or complained about, and no evidence has been presented to substantiate these allegations.

“The situation took a surprising turn when Sarah herself came forward and refuted the claim of r@pe.

“The matter is presently on appeal.

“Citizen Diplomacy is at the core of the foreign policy thrust of this Administration. The President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated that the interests and welfare Nigerian nationals in distress, wherever they may be, outside the shores of their homeland must be given top priority.

“Consequently, the government is exploring all options and utilising all diplomatic ties and channels available to ensure that justice is done in the case of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji.

“We also extend our thanks to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Justice and the Government of Benin for the kind courtesies entended to our delegation by facilitating this access to Pastor Benjamin Egbaji within such short notice.”