Rights group raises alarm over detained Nigerian Pastor in Benin Republic
Ayobamidele Kehinde, International Director of the Dynamic Ambassadors for Social Transformation and Orientation Initiatives (DASTOI), has sounded the alarm over the worsening health condition and prolonged detention of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, a Nigerian clergyman held in a Beninese prison for over two years without proper trial.
Pastor Egbaji, a native of Cross River State and founder of *Église De Miracle Et Action Du Saint Esprit* in the Republic of Benin, has been imprisoned since being accused of rape by a Beninese citizen, Pede Victoire. Despite ongoing demands for due process, Kehinde says the evidence against him remains unsubstantiated.
Speaking during AIT’s *Kakaki* programme on Monday, Kehinde described Egbaji’s case as a glaring instance of judicial injustice and xenophobic mistreatment of Nigerians in Benin.
Before the rape allegation, Egbaji had been falsely accused of land grabbing — a case that was investigated and dropped. However, after filing a defamation lawsuit against his accusers, he was reportedly arrested in the courtroom without formal charges.
“He was arrested right in front of a judge during a defamation hearing. He spent seven months in detention without trial until our organization stepped in,” Kehinde said.
He painted a dire picture of the pastor’s current health, citing a critical medical report. Egbaji, he said, suffers from dangerously high blood pressure (230/140), and scans show that part of his brain is no longer receiving oxygen. Yet, despite this grave condition, he has been denied proper medical attention.
“His limbs are shackled with colonial-style restraints. The medical evidence indicates his brain is shutting down due to lack of oxygen. Without urgent intervention, he might not survive,” Kehinde warned.
The situation has already taken a toll on Egbaji’s family. His wife reportedly died of a heart attack, and his adopted daughter from Benue succumbed to cancer—all while he remained behind bars.
Kehinde also condemned what he described as a broader trend of xenophobia and unlawful imprisonment of Nigerians—particularly those of Igbo descent—by Beninese authorities. He claimed that over 1,000 Nigerians are currently detained in the country, most without fair hearings.
“Some were simply visiting or had minor disputes. Their real offense appears to be their nationality,” he alleged.
While the Nigerian Embassy in Cotonou has made limited efforts, Kehinde criticized the lack of strong diplomatic engagement, noting the absence of an ambassador and dwindling influence.
Petitions have been submitted to various Nigerian bodies, including the National Security Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NIDCOM, and the National Assembly. However, no significant progress has followed.
A protest led by DASTOI at the Benin Republic Embassy in Abuja in March 2024 was met with indifference. Although the group’s lawyer was allowed inside, Kehinde himself was denied entry for being “too vocal.”
“The ambassador said he would forward our petition to their president, but nothing came of it,” Kehinde stated.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to take urgent action—not to secure Egbaji’s immediate release, but to ensure he receives adequate medical care and a fair trial.
“We’re not asking for his acquittal; we’re asking for justice and humanity. Let him live to face the law. If bringing back his corpse is easier than saving his life, then we have failed as a country,” he said passionately.
“Pastor Benjamin is not just a pastor. He’s a father, a community leader, and a man who’s lived peacefully in Benin for over 30 years with no criminal record. This is not just a legal issue; it’s a humanitarian crisis,” Kehinde concluded.