- Ochanya Ogbanje, only 13, left her Benue home to pursue education but suffered years of sexual abuse that led to her untimely death in 2018
- Her story sparked protests across Nigeria, as women’s groups and activists demanded justice and protection for vulnerable children
- In 2022, a Makurdi High Court acquitted one accused and convicted another for negligence, fuelling criticism of the justice system’s failures
Ochanya Ogbanje was just 13 years old when her life was stolen from her, not by fate, but by abuse. She left her rural home in Benue to live with a relative, Mr. Andrew Ogbuja, a lecturer, and his son, so she could attend school. Instead of protection and opportunity, she faced years of sexual violence. The trauma resulted in a devastating condition, vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), and ultimately led to her death on October 17, 2018.
Her case ignited national backlash. Women’s groups led protests, demanding accountability and justice. In one rally in Plateau State, activists declared:
“Ochanya … ought to have been protected, not exploited. We are gathered to lend voices to the voiceless.”
WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID
Many have criticized the slow pace of the legal process. The Men Against Rape Foundation stated the trial’s delay “underscores the increasing need for special courts for gender‑based violence.” Meanwhile, in April 2022 a *Makurdi High Court* acquitted Andrew Ogbuja of rape and causing Ochanya’s death, citing insufficient proof, though it convicted his wife for negligence.
Critics argue that this verdict sends the wrong message. Some say the police have failed by not apprehending Victor Ogbuja, the accused son who remains at large. The victim’s family has even given law enforcement ultimatums to act.
MY VIEW
Reading about Ochanya’s suffering shakes the heart. She should have been shielded, not silenced. The flaws in her case, delays, legal loopholes, and the absence of one accused are reminders that our system still fails many children.
Justice is not just for Ochanya, it’s for every child who is too afraid to speak or whose voice was ignored. We must demand more than verdicts; we must demand enforcement, care, protection, and reform.
Let Ochanya’s name be more than a headline. Let it be a call to action. Every school, every home, every community should be safer because she lived. If we don’t act, we risk betraying her memory and betraying all those who still suffer in silence.
Her story is not just about a failed justice system; it’s about the deep-rooted culture of silence, victim-blaming, and the lack of urgency when a girl child is in danger. How many more Ochanyas will it take for our laws to be strengthened and our leaders to be held accountable? How long will families wait before their pain is taken seriously?
It is heartbreaking that even after death, Ochanya’s fight for justice continues. The fact that one of her alleged abusers still roams free is not just a legal flaw, it’s a societal failure. The laws are there, but they must be backed by political will and social consciousness.
Until every child can dream without fear and live without trauma, our work is not done.
May her soul rest. And may our voices rise
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author
Justice for Mohbad: Yomi Fabiyi accuses singer’s brother of demanding N3m to release evidence
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