Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has submitted a petition to the Senate calling for an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje, a student of Federal Government Girls College, Gboko, who died in October 2018 from complications linked to prolonged sexual abuse.
Presenting the petition on Wednesday on behalf of Inibehe Effiong Chambers, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused certain individuals of attempting to “shield those responsible from accountability.”
The petition demands the arrest and prosecution of the prime suspect, Victor Ogbuja, and urges the Benue State Government to challenge the acquittal of his father, Andrew Ogbuja.
According to the petition, Ochanya lived with the Ogbuja family from age five and was repeatedly abused by Andrew and his son Victor, leading to severe health complications and her eventual death.
It also criticised the Nigeria Police Force for failing to rearrest Victor after he absconded, and condemned the state government’s refusal to appeal the High Court ruling that freed Andrew Ogbuja.
Akpoti-Uduaghan told the Senate: “This petition is on the refusal to arrest and prosecute Victor and Andrew Ogbuja, for the rape to death of a 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje. Ms Ochanya was sent to live with her maternal aunt, Felicia Ogbuja, at the age of five, in pursuit of better education. But unfortunately, her uncle, Andrew Ogbuja, and his son, Victor, took turns to rape her from the age of six to 13, where she died.”
