FG Secures Release of Nigerian Pastor in Benin

The Federal Government has secured the release of a Nigerian pastor, Benjamin Egbaji, who spent more than two years in detention in the Republic of Benin under conditions described by officials as harsh and degrading.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, confirmed the development on Wednesday, following the grant of a presidential pardon by Benin Republic’s President, Patrice Talon. The pardon paved the way for Egbaji’s release on January 8, 2026, after the decision was formally gazetted on December 17, 2025.

A statement issued in Abuja by the minister’s Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, said Egbaji, a cleric and businessman from Cross River State, had been detained while facing multiple charges in Benin Republic. The statement noted that the pastor’s prolonged incarceration had raised serious humanitarian and diplomatic concerns, prompting sustained intervention by Nigerian authorities.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Egbaji was initially held at a hospital in Cotonou due to health complications shortly after his arrest. However, as his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to a correctional facility, where he remained until his release. Officials described his detention conditions as severe, with limited access to adequate medical care and consular support in the early stages.

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Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Egbaji’s freedom was the outcome of months of intense diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and Benin Republic. She disclosed that her office pursued the matter through high-level bilateral discussions, continuous communication with Beninese authorities, and direct humanitarian advocacy.

The minister revealed that she personally visited Egbaji in August 2025 while he was hospitalised in Cotonou, an encounter she said further underscored the urgency of Nigeria’s intervention. “His condition and the circumstances of his detention required immediate and sustained diplomatic action,” she said, adding that the Federal Government remained committed to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerians abroad.

She also acknowledged the cooperation of the Benin Republic government, particularly President Talon, for granting the presidential pardon that led to Egbaji’s release. According to her, the gesture reflected the cordial relations between both countries and their shared commitment to regional diplomacy and humanitarian considerations.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said arrangements were being finalised to ensure Egbaji’s safe return to Nigeria and access to necessary medical and psychological support. The government also reaffirmed its resolve to strengthen consular mechanisms to respond swiftly to cases involving Nigerians detained overseas.

Egbaji’s case has drawn attention to the broader challenges faced by Nigerians living and doing business in neighbouring West African countries, especially regarding legal disputes and detention conditions. The ministry urged Nigerians abroad to adhere strictly to local laws while assuring citizens that the government would continue to intervene when fundamental rights are at risk.

The release marks one of the most notable recent consular successes for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reinforcing Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement within the sub-region and its stated commitment to citizen diplomacy.