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Bianca Ojukwu recounts the tragic story of a Nigerian pastor who was convicted of rape and imprisoned in the Benin Republic.

Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, is drawing attention to the “sad case” of a Nigerian pastor who is incarcerated in the Benin Republic on rape charges.

Ms. Odumegwu-Ojukwu claims that Pastor Benjamin Egbaji of Cross River State has spent the last two years behind bars in the Republic of Benin.

Egbaji “is being detained under unclear circumstances” and is currently dealing with serious health issues, she continued.

Along with a delegation from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the CDA, and representatives of the Nigerian Embassy in the Republic of Benin, she claimed to have visited Egbaji in the Central National Hospital Universitaire in the Benin Republic.

“I was shaken by the sight that confronted me as I walked into the hospital ward in Cotonou where he is presently receiving treatment,” Ms. Ojukwu wrote. “He was in chains even in the hospital, and upon seeing me, he broke down in tears.”

Egbaji received assurances from Ms. Ojukwu that the Nigerian government would take action on his behalf.

She wrote: “‘Your Country has not abandoned you’, I reassured him. Your government is committed to ensuring that justice is done in this matter.”

Ms. Ojukwu described the events that resulted in his incarceration, writing: “The accusations against Pastor Benjamin were made by Pede Victoire, a citizen of Benin who claimed that Benjamin has raped 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 rape.

“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.

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