Detained Nigerian Man D!es in Overcrowded Benin Republic Cell

Detained Nigerian Man Dies in Overcrowded Benin Republic Cell

One of the over 200 Nigerians said to be detained in an overcrowded cell in neighbouring Benin Republic, Salami Deyomi has reportedly died in custody.

The deceased who was said to be held in Benin Republic facility without trial, died in custody owing to a prolong sickness and lack of medical attention in an overcrowding cell..

In a letter dated September 16, 2025, and addressed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, a human rights lawyer, Deji 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.

Adeyanju who is the lead complainer called for urgent intervention on behalf of over 200 Nigerian citizens reportedly detained under inhumane conditions in prisons across the Republic of Benin, to avoid further lost of lives.

The human rights lawyer urged the National Assembly to initiate a fact-finding mission through the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Diaspora Relations, and Human Rights, to direct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s Embassy in Cotonou to secure immediate consular access.

Adeyanju called for diplomatic and parliamentary pressure on the Beninese government to comply with ECOWAS and African Union human rights standards.

The petition 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.