The Nigerian government is raising concerns over the deteriorating health of detained pastors in Benin Republic

The Federal Government has raised concerns over the deteriorating health condition of a Nigerian national, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who is currently on trial in Benin Republic.

In a statement issued on Monday by Dr. Magnus Eze, Special Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Communications and New Media, government described the Egbaji situation as very disturbing. The cleric and businessman from Cross River State has reportedly been detained for nearly two years in a Cotonou hospital in what were described as “inhumane conditions.”

According to the statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appealed to the Beninese authorities to grant Egbaji release so that he can access adequate medical treatment and, if necessary, serve the remainder of his sentence in Nigeria.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, reiterated the government’s concerns, noting that reports from the Nigerian Mission in Cotonou indicated that the pastor’s health continued to decline. He stressed that the ministry had made consistent diplomatic efforts to secure the transfer in line with President Bola Tinubu’s New Hope Agenda and his commitment to citizen diplomacy.

“Discussions with our mission in Cotonou revealed that Pastor Egbaji’s health condition is deteriorating and he requires immediate medical attention,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said. “We have made vigorous efforts to ensure his release in line with our government’s commitment to protect the rights and welfare of Nigerians abroad.”

The minister, who personally visited Egbaji in Cotonou in August with Benin Foreign Minister Olushegun Bakari, said Nigeria had officially requested the transfer of the detained cleric to a facility in Nigeria to receive appropriate medical treatment.

However, he expressed concern over the slow response of the Beninese government and urged them to speed up the process, considering the long-standing ties of friendship and cultural closeness between the two countries.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu further disclosed that Nigeria’s position and plea for Egbaji’s release was strengthened in recent diplomatic correspondence with the Government of Benin Republic.