By Daniel Okejeme
A civil society organization, Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, has called on
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the case of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who is languishing in Benin Republic.
Egbaji, a Nigerian citizen from Cross River state, was falsely accused of rape by Pede Victoire, a citizen of the Republic of Benin.
Victoir claimed that he had raped her daughter, Ahouandjinou Dona Sarah, when she was just 13 years old.
However, it is important to note that this claim was never reported or complained about, and no evidence has been presented to substantiate these allegations.
The Centre, in collaboration with a Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria, revealed that Benjamin Egbaji who was arrested May last year has been languishing behind bar without trial ever since then, even after Sarah herself came forward and refuted the claim of rape.
As a hypertensive patient, his blood pressure has shot up to 254/136, prompting the medical director in Central National Hospital Universitare Hubert K. Maga to raise an alarm that if Pastor Benjamin is not released for proper diagnosis and treatment within a fortnight, something more tragic might happen to his patient.
Due to lack of intervention from the Nigeria government, all attempts to secure bail for Benjamin Egbaji have hit the bricks.
Although the Head of Nigerian Consular, Republic of Benin has led a delegation to visit the pastor where he is been held in custody and has sent a note verbal to the Nigerian government to authorize them to engage with the government of Benin to secure his immediate release, but the
requisite response is yet to be activated by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Consequently, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, in collaboration with a coalition of civil society organizations in Nigeria, urgently calls for immediate action to ensure justice is served and Pastor Benjamin Egbaji is released from unjust and harrowing detention in the Republic of Benin.
The group is appealing to the Nigerian government, in the strongest possible terms, to utilize all diplomatic ties and channels available to secure the release of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji. It is crucial for the government to recognize the urgency of this matter and take swift action to prevent further violation of Pastor Benjamin’s rights and ensure his immediate freedom.
“We demand an independent and thorough investigation into the allegations made against Pastor Benjamin Egbaji. The lack of evidence, coupled with Sarah’s own account refuting the claims, clearly demonstrates that the allegations are false and baseless. An impartial investigation will ensure that justice prevails and the truth is revealed.
“We urgently request that Pastor Benjamin Egbaji be transferred to a better-equipped medical facility without delay. His deteriorating health condition, particularly as a hypertensive patient with a dangerously high blood pressure reading, necessitates immediate diagnosis
and appropriate treatment. Failure to do so within the next fourteen days could lead to tragic consequences.
“We sincerely hope that our plea for urgent intervention will be met with the seriousness and urgency it deserves, ensuring that justice is not delayed, and Pastor Benjamin Egbaji’s rights and well-being are restored”.
