Ochanya Ogbanje’s Family Seeks Justice and Police Action
The family of Ochanya Ogbanje, a 13-year-old girl who died in 2018 due to complications from prolonged sexual abuse, has taken significant steps to seek justice. The petition, signed by human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, urges the police to recall the case file from the Benue State Police Command and place the prime suspect, Victor Ogbuja, on a watchlist.
The petition specifically calls for the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to declare Victor Ogbuja wanted and launch a manhunt to arrest him. It also requests police protection for the family due to continuous threats from the alleged perpetrator’s family, who are described as influential and politically connected.
Resurfacing of Ochanya’s Case
Ochanya’s case resurfaced in public discourse following her seventh memorial anniversary held in Abuja. Social media platforms like X, Facebook, and TikTok saw renewed calls for justice, with users demanding Mr. Ogbuja’s arrest. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the handling of such cases and the need for accountability.
Backstory of the Tragic Incident
According to reports, Ochanya was a Junior Secondary School student at the Federal Government Girls College in Gboko, Benue State. She passed away on 17 October 2018 from complications related to Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF), a condition doctors linked to prolonged sexual abuse.
The abuse was allegedly committed by her maternal relatives: Andrew Ogbuja, a lecturer at the Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, and his son, Victor Ogbuja. Both were accused of sexually assaulting the teenager over several years until she fell ill and eventually died.
Victor Ogbuja, who was declared wanted by the police in 2018, has remained at large since he reportedly fled to evade arrest. His father, Andrew Ogbuja, was later arraigned for rape and culpable homicide but was acquitted by the Benue State High Court in Makurdi on 22 April 2022.
Legal Proceedings and Convictions
In a separate case, the Federal High Court in Makurdi convicted and sentenced Victor Ogbuja’s wife, Felicia Ochiga-Ogbuja, who was Ochanya’s guardian, to five months’ imprisonment without an option of fine for negligence that exposed the child to sexual abuse. This ruling was later upheld by the Court of Appeal in November 2022.
Petition Details and Concerns
The petition highlights the failure of the Nigerian Police Force to apprehend and prosecute the fleeing suspected rapist over the past seven years. A medical report from the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, which formed the basis for the prosecution, conviction, and imprisonment of Mrs. Felicia Ogbuja, stated that the deceased teenager suffered “faecal and urinary incontinence, which was initially mild and it progressively worsened” before her tragic passing.
The family of Ochanya expressed their concern over the police’s refusal to arrest and prosecute the key suspect, calling it a grievous injustice to the victim and other females unaware of his actions. They emphasized that the inaction of the police portrays Nigeria as a lawless country where the rights of vulnerable people are trampled upon by powerful individuals and the elite.
Calls for Accountability and Change
The ongoing efforts by the family and legal representatives reflect a broader demand for accountability and systemic change within the Nigerian legal and law enforcement systems. The case has become a symbol of the challenges faced by victims of sexual abuse and the need for more effective mechanisms to protect and support them.
As the discussion around Ochanya’s case continues, it serves as a reminder of the importance of justice and the need for vigilance in ensuring that the rights of all individuals, especially the most vulnerable, are protected.