Alleged Rape: Pastor Benjamin Egbaji Detained in Benin Republic: Protesters Demand Action
Protesters gathered at the Benin Republic Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday, demanding the release of Nigerian pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who has been detained in Benin for over a year.
Egbaji, originally from Cross River State and the leader of Église De Miracle Et Action Du Saint Esprit in Benin, was accused of rape by Pede Victoire, a Benin citizen. The allegation has kept him in detention, chained to a bed in the hospital, without trial.
Protesters held signs condemning the mistreatment of Nigerians in Benin, expressing their growing frustration.
Ayobamidele Kehinde, the International Director of Dynamic Ambassadors for Social Transformation and Orientation Initiatives, addressed the media at the embassy. He criticized the prolonged detention of Pastor Egbaji without trial and denounced the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in Benin, especially targeting the Igbo community.
Kehinde explained that the accusation came from Pede Victoire, who alleged that Egbaji raped her daughter, Ahouandjinou Dona Sarah, when she was 13 years old. However, he pointed out that the claim was never formally reported, and no evidence has been presented.
Efforts to secure bail for Egbaji have failed due to inaction from the Nigerian government, Kehinde noted. He highlighted Egbaji’s contributions to Benin’s economy over the past 30 years and shared the pastor’s personal tragedies, including the deaths of his wife and adopted daughter.
“We cannot claim to be members of ECOWAS and suffer like this,” Kehinde said, expressing frustration over the lack of government support. “We have intel that the judge is under pressure to sentence Benjamin to ten years imprisonment. Visit their prisons and see how Nigerians are languishing there.”
After submitting a petition to the embassy, Barrister Joseph B. Ayi spoke with journalists. He mentioned that a medical report indicated Egbaji, who suffers from hypertension, has dangerously high blood pressure levels of 254/136, putting him at risk of a stroke or cardiac arrest.
“We have submitted our petition to the embassy, and they have promised to take action on the matter before the end of the day,” Ayi concluded.
