Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has submitted a petition to the Senate requesting an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje.
On Wednesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan delivered the petition on behalf of Inibehe Effiong Chambers during plenary, accusing some persons of attempting to “shield those responsible from accountability.”
Ochanya, a student at the Federal Government Girls College in Gboko, died on October 17, 2018, as a result of complications associated with long-term sexual assault.
The petition calls for the arrest and prosecution of the key suspect, Victor Ogbuja, as well as for the Benue State Government to challenge his father, Andrew Ogbuja’s, acquittal.
According to the petition, Ochanya resided with the Ogbuja family from the age of five and was repeatedly sexually molested by Andrew and his son Victor, resulting in significant health difficulties and her death.
The petition also criticizes the Nigeria Police Force for failing to apprehend Victor when he fled, and it blames the state government’s failure to appeal the High Court verdict that freed Andrew Ogbuja.
Natasha said, “This petition is on the refusal to arrest and prosecute Victor and Andrew Ogbuja for the rape to death of a 13-year-old, Ochanya Ogbanje.
“Ms. Ochanya was sent to live with her maternal aunt, Felicia Ogbuja, at the age of five, in pursuit of better education.
“But unfortunately, her uncle, who is the husband of her maternal aunt, named Andrew Ogbuja, and his son, Victor Ogbuja, took turns to rape her from the age of six to 13, where she died.”
She added that Ochanya “suffered severe violations for years, yet justice continues to be delayed and denied.”
She further said, “It was reported that she developed VVF, which is the medical term for vesicovaginal fistula, also known as fecal urinary incontinence.
“And this was basically because she was raped in her vagina and anus daily. This case represents a failure of the system to protect a child.”
According to the Kogi legislator, the case “has lingered due to alleged interference, intimidation of witnesses, and attempts to downplay the crime.”
She urged the Senate to ensure family justice and to conduct a full assessment of how children’s rights matters are handled in Nigeria.
“This Senate must send a strong message that the lives of Nigerian children matter and that justice cannot be negotiated,” she added.
With no active judicial processes, Senate President Godswill Akpabio forwarded the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, for assessment.
Last month, on the seventh anniversary of Ochanya’s death, celebrities joined the call for justice.
The hashtag #JusticeForOchanya went viral on X, Instagram, and TikTok, prompting thousands of posts demanding accountability.
In April 2022, a Benue State High Court acquitted Andrew Ogbuja, alleging inadequate evidence. Justice Augustine Ityonyiman concluded that the prosecution failed to prove the rape and death allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
Felicia Ochiga-Ogbuja, Ochanya’s aunt, was sentenced to five months without a fine for carelessness by the Federal High Court in Makurdi after failing to protect Ochanya despite knowing about the abuse.
Victor Ogbuja has also reportedly been on the run since police attempted to apprehend him.
Following the trial, Ochanya’s family received continued threats, with her uncle, Mr. Michael Ogbanje, stating that unnamed individuals threatened their lives in order to suppress their quest for justice.
He asked the federal government, the inspector-general of police, and advocacy groups for help and justice.
