A civil society group, Leadwell Africa Global Initiative in collaboration with the Nigeria Cleric Council of Bishops and Imams, have appealed to the President of Republic of Benin, Patrice Talon, to expedient action on the release of Nigerian Cleric, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji from prolonged detention in that country.
The group in Thursday stormed the Embassy of the Republic of Benin in Abuja, where they called for presidential and diplomatic intervention by the Government of the Republic of Benin to set him free over his failing health.
Convener of the group, Dr Bony Sunny, alleged that Egbaji was unlawfully arrested and prosecuted maliciously and has also been in detention for over a year now and without trial, therefore, his prolonged detention has led to deterioration his health, which his blood pressure has raised between 202/138 and 206/128, thereby endangering his health and survival if he remains in prison.
According to Sunny, Pastor Egbaji is a Nigerian citizen who is also an entrepreneur, was carrying out his lawful business in Real Estate Commerce and Pastoral Ministry in Benin Republic, but some of his associates and business partners who are citizens of Benin Republic became jealous and envious of his progress in pastorial ministry/business, conspired and blackmailed, intimidated, and falsely accused him of rape I’m order to shutdown his business in Benin Republic.
He (Sunny) also accused some persons behind the ordeal of Egbaji who had stalled his trial by making him to linger in detention formover one year.
They added that the request for Presidential and Diplomatic intervention by the Leadwell Africa Global Initiative in collaboration with the Nigeria Clerics Council of Bishops and Imams is an SOS call, because the life of the said Mr. Benjamin Egbaji is under threat and danger due to the action of his former business associates and partners.
“We believe, that through this appeal Mr President you will use your good office to intervene in the aforementioned case and set Pastor Emmanuel Egbadji free”, he said.
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