Nigeria Reaffirms Citizen Diplomacy in Benin…as Minister Visits Jailed Pastor Egbaji.

By Caroline Ameh

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to citizen diplomacy following her visit to a detained Nigerian Pastor, Benjamin Egbaji, who has spent over two years in prison in the Republic of Benin under controversial circumstances.

Pastor Egbaji, originally from Cross River State, has resided in Benin Republic for more than 30 years, during which he established a successful real estate business and ran a vibrant pastoral ministry. However, his life changed drastically on May 17, 2023, when he was arrested over an allegation of rape involving a 13-year-old girl, Bright Sarah Karls, said to have occurred in 2011.

Two days after his arrest, Egbaji was transferred to prison custody. On July 24, 2024, he was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Cotonou court. The ruling also required him to pay $3,300 each to the complainant, now identified as Sarah Ahouandjinou, and the Benin National Institute for Women Affairs.

Egbaji, who continues to protest his innocence, claims he was targeted by one of his former congregants, Victoire Pede, after he declined to pursue a personal relationship with her. According to him, Pede subsequently attempted to seize his properties, disrupted services in his church, and revived a rape accusation that had been previously dismissed by the court.

In 2020, Egbaji had sought assistance from the Nigerian Embassy in Cotonou in a case involving his properties. The Embassy, through its consular desk officer, represented him in court, and Egbaji won the case against Victoire. However, shortly after his legal victory, he was arrested again, this time on the rape allegation.

He was detained at the Akpro-Misserete Prison, where his health deteriorated significantly. On October 25, 2023, he was transferred to the National Teaching Hospital (CNHU) in Cotonou for urgent medical care. Despite several diplomatic interventions by the Nigerian Embassy, efforts to secure his release or a review of the case have so far been unsuccessful.

During her visit to Egbaji on Saturday, August 2, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu assured him that the Nigerian government and people had not abandoned him. She described his case as a key concern under the Tinubu administration’s “Renewed Hope” foreign policy, anchored on the four pillars of Democracy, Demography, Diaspora, and Development—the “4-Ds.”

“I want to assure you that Nigeria hasn’t forgotten you,” she told the ailing pastor. “Nigerians are aware of your case. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is aware. We are committed to the wellbeing of every Nigerian that’s what citizen diplomacy is all about.”

“It’s not a hopeless situation,” the minister continued. “We are following due process to ensure that you don’t suffer unduly. Your suffering will soon be over; just be a little more patient for the processes to be concluded.”

Visibly overwhelmed by the show of solidarity, Pastor Egbaji broke down in tears during the visit. He pointed to his persistently high blood pressure, describing it as a symbol of his prolonged trauma and uncertain fate. The minister consoled him and reiterated the government’s resolve to pursue justice through diplomatic and legal channels.

His appeal is currently pending before a higher court in Benin Republic.

In a reaction to the minister’s visit, the President of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Republic of Benin Chapter, Alhaji Mohammad Munir, expressed gratitude to Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu for what he called “a timely and compassionate gesture.”

“Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu has shown rare commitment to the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora,” Munir said. “Her visit sends a strong message that the Nigerian government will not turn a blind eye to the plight of its citizens abroad.”

He also lauded President Bola Tinubu’s proactive stance on diaspora welfare and urged the government to intensify diplomatic engagements to rescue innocent Nigerians languishing in foreign prisons.

The Egbaji case has sparked growing concerns about the vulnerability of Nigerian citizens abroad, especially in legal systems where language barriers, consular limitations, and cultural dynamics complicate access to fair trials. Human rights advocates have also questioned the credibility of the evidence that led to Egbaji’s conviction and the influence of private actors in the judicial process.

As Nigeria deepens its citizen diplomacy agenda, observers say the outcome of this case may serve as a litmus test for the Tinubu administration’s foreign policy posture on diaspora protection.

For now, the Nigerian government says it remains focused on due process and diplomatic dialogue, with the hope that justice will ultimately prevail.