RismadarVoice Reporters
January 9, 2026
The Federal Government has secured a presidential pardon from the Republic of Benin for a Nigerian pastor and businessman, Benjamin Egbaji, leading to his release after more than two years in detention under what officials described as dehumanizing conditions.
The breakthrough was achieved through sustained diplomatic engagements led by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, it was disclosed that Egbaji, a cleric from Cross River State, had faced multiple charges, was initially detained in a hospital in Cotonou before being transferred to prison as his health deteriorated.
According to the statement, Egbaji was released on Thursday, January 8, 2026, following a presidential pardon granted by Benin’s President, Patrice Talon. The amnesty, which was formally gazetted on December 17, 2025, came after persistent diplomatic pressure from Nigeria, including a visit by Odumegwu-Ojukwu to the pastor during his hospitalization in August last year.
Public outrage had earlier been sparked by a widely circulated photograph, showing Egbaji chained to a hospital bed, a development that reportedly triggered urgent diplomatic intervention by the Nigerian government.
“This release is the result of consistent, determined diplomatic action. We were deeply concerned about his condition and the circumstances of his detention, and we took every necessary step to ensure he received justice and access to medical care,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
The Minister credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foreign policy direction for the success, describing the development as a reflection of the administration’s commitment to citizen diplomacy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This diplomatic feat is a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to citizen diplomacy. The diaspora component of our foreign policy places the welfare of Nigerians abroad at the centre of our engagements,” she added.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also revealed that she spoke with Egbaji shortly after his release, noting that while he was in high spirits, he required proper medical attention after his ordeal.
“He is in high spirits, but he deserves proper medical care after all he has been through,” she said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier appealed to Beninois authorities to release Egbaji on humanitarian grounds to enable him access adequate medical treatment and, if necessary, serve the remainder of his sentence in Nigeria. The appeal followed a joint visit to the detainee by Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Benin’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari.
In correspondence to the Beninois government, the Minister cited humanitarian considerations and the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and Benin.
“In the spirit of our longstanding friendship, recognizing the humanitarian imperative, we requested that Pastor Egbaji be repatriated to Nigeria to serve the remainder of his sentence,” the statement said.
Reacting to the development, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO), Republic of Benin chapter, Alhaji Mohammad Munir, commended the intervention of the foreign affairs Minister.
“Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu has demonstrated uncommon commitment to the welfare of Nigerians in diaspora. We also commend President Tinubu, urge sustained diplomatic efforts to assist other Nigerians incarcerated abroad,” he said.
