The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has secured the release of a Nigerian cleric, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who had been imprisoned in the Republic of Benin amid growing concerns over his deteriorating health and treatment in custody.
Pastor Egbaji, a businessman and religious leader from Cross River State, regained his freedom on Thursday, following a presidential pardon granted by Beninois President Patrice Talon.
The pardon, which was gazetted in December 2025, came after months of sustained diplomatic engagement by Nigeria.