Federal Government has secured the release of Benjamin Egbaji, a Nigerian pastor who had been imprisoned in the Republic of Benin for more than two years, following a presidential pardon granted by Benin’s leader, Patrice Talon.
Gatekeepers News reports that Egbaji, a cleric and businessman from Cross River State, regained his freedom on Thursday after the clemency, which was gazetted on December 17, 2025.
Although details of the charges against him were not made public, Nigerian officials said he was initially held under harsh conditions in a hospital in Cotonou before being transferred to prison as his health declined.
Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, minister of state for foreign affairs, said the release was the result of sustained diplomatic engagements by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including her visit to the pastor during his detention in August 2025.
She explained that public concern intensified after images of the ailing pastor chained to a hospital bed circulated online, prompting Nigeria to increase pressure for either his release or transfer home for medical care.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said she spoke with Egbaji after his release and confirmed that he was in good spirits but still required urgent medical attention.
According to the minister, Nigeria made repeated humanitarian appeals supported by medical reports from court-appointed experts, despite delays that caused concern given the close ties between both countries.
She added that the breakthrough reflects President Bola Tinubu’s citizen-focused diplomacy, which prioritises the protection and welfare of Nigerians abroad and has guided recent foreign policy engagements.
