The Centre For Credible Leadership And Citizens Awareness has called on President Bola Tinubu to directly intervene and exert International diplomatic pressure on the Republic of Benin to secure the release of one Pastor Benjamin Egbaji.
Addressing the media on Thursday in Abuja, the convener of the Centre For Credible Leadership And Citizens Awareness, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, said that it is imperative that President Tinubu understands the gravity of this situation and utilizes his influence to facilitate Pastor Benjamin’s immediate release.
Acording to Dr Nwambu, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji is a Nigerian citizen who hailed from Cross River but finds himself languishing behind bars in the Republic of Benin for over a year without trial in chains even in the hospital.
“He is being held under false, baseless, and spurious allegations, while his health deteriorates rapidly, Dr Nwambu said.
He went further to say, “The accusations against Pastor Benjamin were made by Pede Victoire, a citizen of the Republic of Benin. She claimed that Pastor Benjamin 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 situation took a surprising turn when 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 (pictures and video available for the press) to raise an alarm that if Pastor Benjamin is not released for proper diagnosis and treatment within a forth night, something more tragic might happen to his patient.
“Attempts to secure bail for the Nigerian, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji has hit the bricks because the Nigerian Government is yet to do the needful to save this Nigerian in a dare and urgent need for medical attention and justice. Although, the head of the 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 coalition therefor call on the Federal Government of Nigeria 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, Dr Nwambu reitraited.
Also, the coalition demanded for 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.
The Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, along with our coalition of civil society organizations further said it remains committed to fighting for justice and the immediate release of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji.
“We urge the Nigerian government to act swiftly and decisively, utilizing all resources at their disposal to rectify this grave injustice.
“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.