Nigeria Revives the Case of 13-Year-Old Ochanya Ogbanje, Demanding for Justice

Nigeria Revives the Case of 13-Year-Old Ochanya Ogbanje, Demanding for Justice

Nigeria has reopened fresh scrutiny into the tragic case of 13 year old Ochanya Ogbanje, who died on 17 October 2018 in Makurdi, Benue State, after years of reported sexual abuse while in the care of her aunt’s husband and his son.

According to court documents, Ochanya had been living with Andrew Ogbuja (a lecturer at Benue State Polytechnic) and his son, Victor, from approximately age 7 until her death at 13. During that time, she allegedly suffered repeated rape and developed severe medical complications including a Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).

Upon her burial in November 2018, public grief and protests erupted in Okpokwu LGA and beyond, with civil society groups calling for urgent justice.

In 2019, the Benue State Government arraigned Andrew Ogbuja on multiple counts of rape and murder leading to Ochanya’s death. Victor remained at large.

In April 2022, a High Court in Makurdi acquitted Andrew Ogbuja of the charges, finding that the prosecution failed to prove the case against him. However, in a related case, his wife, Felicia Ogbuja, was convicted for negligence (i.e., failing to protect Ochanya) and her conviction was upheld on appeal in November 2022.

Now, renewed attention by media, NGOs and justice-watchers is pushing for the case to be “revived” in terms of ensuring accountability for all involved, tracking Victor who remains at large, and reforming how Nigeria handles child sexual abuse cases.

The horrific nature of the abuse, prolonged over years while the victim was under “care” of those meant to protect her, highlights the acute vulnerability of children in private domestic settings.

The case underscores systemic failings: delayed investigations, scarce convictions, weak enforcement of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), inconsistent punishments.

It raises questions about the role of institutions (schools, families, communities), and the need for forensic capacity, victim support systems and stronger deterrents.

Authorities must track, arrest and prosecute Victor Ogbuja, whose alleged role remains unaddressed.

A comprehensive review of how evidence (medical, forensic, testimonial) was handled in the case is warranted, so future prosecutions aren’t derailed by “failure to prove” technicalities.

The government, especially at state level, must institutionalize child-protection protocols (reporting, monitoring, care for survivors) and fully domesticate the VAPP Act across all states.

Civil society and media must keep the spotlight on this case until definitive justice is served only then will it serve as a deterrent.

A national public education campaign is needed on child sexual abuse, rights of the child, and protections under law.

The revival of public and institutional attention around the case of Ochanya Ogbanje is more than about one girl’s fate it is about whether the Nigerian justice system, society, and families will take meaningful steps to protect children from one of the most heinous forms of violence. If allowed to fade without accountability, the case risks becoming just another statistic; if pursued to conclusion, it can become a catalyst for change.