The Federal Government has secured a presidential pardon from the Republic of Benin for a Nigerian pastor, Benjamin Egbaji, leading to his release after more than two years in detention under allegedly dehumanising conditions
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, facilitated the pardon following sustained diplomatic engagements with Beninois authorities.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, said Egbaji, a businessman and cleric from Cross River State, had faced multiple charges and 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, after receiving a presidential pardon granted by Benin’s President, Patrice Talon.
It added that the amnesty, formally gazetted on December 17, 2025, followed persistent diplomatic pressure from the minister’s office, including a visit to the pastor while he was hospitalised in August last year.
A photograph showing Egbaji chained to a hospital bed, which circulated widely on social media, reportedly sparked public outrage in Nigeria and triggered urgent diplomatic intervention.
“This release is the result of consistent and 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 Tinubu’s foreign policy direction for the breakthrough, highlighting the administration’s emphasis on 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 disclosed that she spoke with Egbaji by telephone shortly after his release.
“He is in high spirits, but he deserves proper medical care after all he has been through,” she said.
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Go and sin no more bro Ezekiel