The tragic story of Ochanya Ogbanje, the 13-year-old schoolgirl whose death in 2018 was linked to years of alleged sexual abuse, has re-entered the national spotlight as an Enugu-based organization, Kunie Foundation, renews its urgent call for justice.
Ochanya, a Junior Secondary School student in Benue State, died on October 17, 2018, due to complications allegedly stemming from prolonged sexual abuse by two maternal relatives, Victor Ogbuja and his father, Andrew Ogbuja.
📢 Foundation Calls Out Systemic Failures
In a statement released on Friday, the Communications Manager for Kunie Foundation, Mr. Uchenna Igboeme, expressed deep sorrow and outrage. He characterized Ochanya’s case as a “chilling reminder of the systemic failures that continue to deny vulnerable girls justice in Nigeria.”
Igboeme lamented the “painfully delayed” justice and the “slow pace of legal proceedings,” which he argues contributes to a “culture of impunity that allows perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) to walk free.”
* The Foundation’s Plea: Kunie Foundation is urging the Benue Government, the Ministry of Justice, the National Human Rights Commission, and all relevant law enforcement agencies to “act decisively” to ensure the perpetrators face justice without further delay.
* A Call for Reform: The case underscores the critical need to strengthen child protection systems and rigorously enforce existing laws like the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.
> “Every day justice is delayed, another girl is silenced, and another family is left heartbroken,” Igboeme stated, stressing that justice for Ochanya is paramount to protecting every Nigerian child from similar horrors.
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⚖️ The Benue High Court Ruling and Inconsistencies
The call for justice is particularly poignant given the outcome of the initial legal proceedings.
In April 2022, the Benue High Court discharged and acquitted the accused persons of the four-count charge of rape. Justice Augustine Ityonyiman cited the prosecution’s failure to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
Key Issues Cited by the Judge:
* The Nigeria Police Force investigators failed to conduct a medical examination on Andrew Ogbuja to match his samples with medical reports.
* Inconsistencies in the autopsy reports were highlighted: one report from the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, stated the death was due to natural causes, while a second from the Nigerian Police Forensic Laboratory in Lagos linked the death to complications from sexual abuse.
✨ Celebrities and Activists Reignite #JusticeForOchanya
The ongoing quest for accountability has been amplified by a wave of public support from notable Nigerians, which has reignited the #JusticeForOchanya campaign.
The voices demanding legal action and accountability include:
* Singer Tiwa Savage: Called for justice and child safety, urging people to break the silence and abandon hiding behind family titles.
* Influencer Tunde Ednut: Pleaded for action, urging massive reposting of “JUSTICE FOR OCHANYA.”
* Activist Aisha Yesufu: Condemned the systemic failures in the case, connecting it to wider issues of rape and impunity.
* Actress Kim Oprah: Stressed that the accused abuser remains free seven years later, pushing for justice for all children.
* Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan: Expressed disappointment over the acquittal and invited the victim’s family to petition her office.
As the Kunie Foundation and public voices continue to press the issue, the demand remains clear: Silence and inaction are forms of complicity we cannot afford. The hope is that Ochanya Ogbanje’s tragic death will finally “awaken our collective conscience to protect every girl child across Nigeria.”
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