The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has shared the story of a Nigerian pastor who is imprisoned in the Benin Republic on rape charges.

Ojukwu revealed that the clergyman identified as Benjamin Egbaji, from Cross River State, has been imprisoned for the past two years in the Republic of Benin.

Speaking via a statement on her X handle, the Minister lamented that Egbaji is being detained under unclear circumstances and is now facing critical health challenges.

She said she visited Egbaji at the Central National Hospital Universitaire, Benin Republic with a team from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, as well as the CDA and officers of the Nigeria Embassy in the Republic of Benin.

She wrote, “I was shaken by the sight that confronted me as I walked into the hospital ward in Cotonou, where he is presently receiving treatment. He was in chains even in the hospital, and upon seeing me, he broke down in tears.”

Ojukwu assured Egbaji that the Nigerian government would intervene in his case.

She wrote, “‘Your Country has not abandoned you’, I reassured him. Your government is committed to ensuring that justice is done in this matter.”

Narrating what led to his imprisonment,  Ojukuw wrote, “The accusations against Pastor Benjamin were made by Pede Victoire, a citizen of Benin who claimed that Benjamin has r@ped her daughter, Ahouandjinou Dona Sarah, when she was just 13 years old.

“This claim, however, 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 r@pe.

“The matter is presently on appeal.

“Citizen Diplomacy is at the core of the foreign policy thrust of this Administration. The President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated that the interests and welfare Nigerian nationals in distress, wherever they may be, outside the shores of their homeland must be given top priority.

“Consequently, the government is exploring all options and utilising all diplomatic ties and channels available to ensure that justice is done in the case of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji.

“We also extend our thanks to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Justice and the Government of Benin for the kind courtesies entended to our delegation by facilitating this access to Pastor Benjamin Egbaji within such short notice.”

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Kanunta Kanu, brother of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed that Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, could play a crucial role in informing President Bola Tinubu about the true state of affairs in the Southeast.

Kanunta accused Southeast politicians of actively lobbying to ensure that President Tinubu remains unaware of the real challenges facing the region.

Naija News recalls that Bianca Ojukwu, had said she will do whatever it takes to ensure that President Bola Tinubu releases the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Speaking to Daily Post, Kanunta noted that while Bianca Ojukwu’s efforts are commendable, the outcome remains uncertain.

He stated: “Yes, if she (Bianca Ojukwu) said but then it’s a hope until it happens, that’s when we will know that it’s reality; for now anybody can say that. She is pressing to make sure that as the Minister of State, Mr President should understand the situation on ground.

“Probably those advising Mr President are not doing that properly maybe because of the money they are getting. They can pay a lot of people to stop others from seeing Mr President, we know what is happening because we have our own intelligence but we are not talking about it because that’s what is happening.”

Kanunta alleged that influential figures in the Presidency are deliberately blocking access to President Tinubu to prevent him from hearing the truth.

He added: “Even those in power trying to see Mr President, it is a problem because those of them working in the office of the Presidency are stopping people who can tell the president the truth from seeing him, because Southeast politicians are lobbying them so that Mr President will not know the truth.

“At this point in time, it might be an opportunity for Bianca Ojukwu to tell Mr President, ‘this is the situation of things in the Southeast’, that those people telling him to detain Kanu are the problem of the Southeast and not Kanu as the case may be.”

Kanunta further stated that Bianca Ojukwu’s potential intervention could shed light on the issue of Kanu’s detention, emphasizing that those advocating for his continued incarceration are the real contributors to insecurity in the Southeast.

The post IPOB: Nnamdi Kanu’s Brother Speaks On Bianca Ojukwu’s Potential Role In His Release appeared first on Naija News.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has said she will do whatever it takes to ensure that President Bola Tinubu releases the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Naija News reports that the Minister stated this during the 13th memorial anniversary of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu held in Owerri on Tuesday.

Bianca Ojukwu articulated her conviction that President Tinubu recognizes the significance of Kanu’s release.

She contended that releasing Kanu would unveil the criminal elements that have exploited his detention to commit serious offences in the Southeast.

In her address-themed “Unifying the Igbo Race,” Bianca Ojukwu urged an end to the violence afflicting the Southeast, highlighting that the Igbo people are not characterized by inflicting harm upon one another. She underscored the need for united efforts to restore regional safety and order.

“The release of Nnamdi Kanu is paramount to separating genuine freedom fighters from criminals causing mayhem in the Southeast. Our people face existential threats, and we must act to restore peace,” she said.

The Minister regretted that years after the passing of Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, her husband, the Southeast has become a region marked by violence and insecurity, forcing many to flee their homes.

“Communities are empty. Our illustrious sons and daughters have fled. Kidnappers now abduct their brothers for ransom. This is not what Dim Ojukwu fought for,” she said.

Bianca Ojukwu emphasized the importance of President Tinubu granting freedom to Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that his release would aid in uncovering the criminals who are concealing themselves within IPOB to perpetrate violence.

“President Tinubu understands the importance of Kanu’s release. It will expose the masqueraders behind the violence and help restore order. I will do whatever it takes to ensure His Excellency grants this request,” she stated, decrying the imposition of violent “sit-at-home” orders in the Southeast, which she said contradict the ideals of self-determination and have stifled economic activities in the region.

“Ndigbo are enterprising and their brother’s keepers. We must reclaim our land and continue to propagate the ideals for which Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu stood,” the Minister added.

Naija News reports that Bianca Ojukwu’s call adds to the growing clamour for the release of Nnamdi Kanu to address insecurity and foster unity in the Southeast.

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