By Calista Oyeoba
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has petitioned the Senate to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje. The petition, submitted on Wednesday during plenary on behalf of Inibehe Effiong Chambers, alleges attempts by some individuals to shield those responsible from accountability.
Ochanya is a student of Federal Government Girls College, Gboko, who died on October 17, 2018, following complications linked to prolonged sexual abuse. The petition calls for the arrest and prosecution of the prime suspect, Victor Ogbuja, her cousin and Andrew Ogbuja.
Senator Natasha, called on the Benue State Government to appeal the acquittal of Andrew Ogbuja, urging thmn to revisit the case and ensure justice is served.
Senator Akpoti Uduaghan stated the victim Ochanya, had lived with the Ogbuja family since age five and allegedly endured repeated sexual abuse by both father and son, which resulted in serious health issues, notably a vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) and fecal urinary incontinence.
“This petition addresses the refusal to arrest and prosecute Victor and Andrew Ogbuja for the rape and death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said. “She suffered severe violations for years, yet justice continues to be delayed and denied. This case represents a failure of the system to protect a child.”
The senator further highlighted alleged interference, intimidation of witnesses and attempts to downplay the crime. She urged the Senate to ensure justice for the family and called for a comprehensive review of how children’s rights cases are handled in Nigeria.
”Senate President Godswill Akpabio, remarked about a seeming lack of active legal proceedings, but however, forwarded the petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen APC Edo South. The committee will probe the circumstances of Ochanya’s abuse and death, examine the justice system’s shortcomings and could push the state government to finally file the overdue appeal.”
