The Federal Government has expressed serious concern over the worsening health condition of a Nigerian national, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who has been held in detention in the Republic of Benin for nearly two years.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Magnus Eze, said the cleric from Cross River State was being kept under dehumanising conditions in a Cotonou hospital, where his health continues to deteriorate.
“Pastor Egbaji, a businessman and cleric from Cross River State, has been detained for about two years in a hospital in Cotonou under dehumanising conditions while his health continues to worsen,” the statement read.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appealed to the Beninese authorities to release Pastor Egbaji immediately to enable him to receive proper medical care.
The ministry also requested that, if necessary, he be allowed to serve any outstanding sentence in Nigeria under humane conditions.
