Nigerian human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanj, has formally written to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, calling for urgent intervention on behalf of over 200 Nigerian citizens reportedly detained under inhumane conditions in prisons across the Republic of Benin.
In a letter dated September 16, 2025, Adeyanju, representing Ekene Bonaventure, Chigozie Chiedozie, Hassan Ebbe, and more than 125 other indigent Nigerians, raised concerns about prolonged detention without formal charges, access to legal representation, medical care, or basic amenities.
He cited the recent death of a Lagos state citizen, Salami Deyomi, as a consequence of overcrowding and lack of medical attention.
Adeyanju urged the Senate to initiate a fact-finding mission through the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Diaspora Relations, and Human Rights, while directing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s embassy in Cotonou to secure immediate consular access.
He also called for diplomatic and parliamentary pressure on the Beninese government to comply with ECOWAS and African Union human rights standards.
The letter was copied to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, and the Embassy of the Republic of Benin in Abuja. Adeyanju emphasized that Nigeria’s international credibility depends on how it defends the rights and dignity of its citizens abroad.
The statement said, "We are solicitors to Ekene Bonaventure, Chigozie Chiedozie, Hassan Ebbe and over 125 indigent Nigerians (herein referred to as our clients), on whose instructions we act.
"We write to bring to your immediate attention the distressing reports of our clients as well as other indigent Nigerian citizens who are currently being held in prisons across the Republic of Benin under inhuman conditions. Our clients as well as other indigent Nigerians are detained without formal charges, access to fair trial, fair hearing amounting to harsh, inhuman and degrading treatment in contravention of internationally accepted human rights standard.
"This situation is not only a gross violation of the fundamental rights of these Nigerians but also contravenes binding international instruments to which both Nigeria and Benin Republic are parties to, including: The ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment (1979, as amended) and The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (ratified and domesticated in Nigeria under Cap A9, Laws of the Federation 2004), all which guarantees the right of entry, residence, establishment of citizens of Member States within the sub-region, rights to liberty, fair hearing, and dignity of the human person.
"It is on information from our clients, that most of these detainees have been denied access to proper legal assistance, medical treatment and basic amenities leaving them vulnerable to arbitrary and prolonged detention with no hope of getting justice. In fact, same has resulted in the recent death of one Salami Deyomi, from Lagos State who died due to overcrowding in the Prison cell and lack of medical attention."
According to the human rights lawyer, "In the light of the above, we respectfully call upon the Nigerian Senate under your distinguished leadership to: Institute a Senate fact-finding mission through the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Diaspora Relations, and Human Rights to investigate the status of Nigerians in Beninese prison custody.
"Immediately, mandate and direct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigerian Embassy in Cotonou to urgently secure consular access to all detained Nigerians.
"Invoke diplomatic and parliamentary pressure to ensure compliance with ECOWAS and AU human rights standards by the Republic of Benin.
"It is pertinent to note that the credibility of our dear country Nigeria is measured by how strongly it defends the rights and dignity of its citizens both at home and abroad.
"A list of the names of our clients as well as other indigent Nigerians held at the Prison Civil De Adjagbo Abomey Calavi Benin Republic is hereby attached. Also, there is strong likelihood of other Nigerians who are detained in various prisons across Benin Republic who are facing similar challenges.
"We urge for urgent action on this matter," Adeyanju added.