The family of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje, who died in 2018 from complications resulting from prolonged sexual abuse, has appealed to the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to help ensure justice for their late daughter.
Ochanya’s brother, John Ameh, made the call during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday, urging the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to declare the son of one of the suspects wanted for the alleged rape.
He revealed that the family continues to struggle with the trauma of Ochanya’s death and the long, painful fight for justice.
“It’s quite traumatising; we’ve been re-traumatised by the renewed call for justice in Ochanya’s case,” Ameh said. “However, it’s a bit soothing with the support from Nigerians from diverse backgrounds. I’ve been inundated with calls from many Nigerians.”
He questioned the fairness of the system, saying, “If she were the daughter of a prominent person, an elite, would this be happening to her, would this be happening to us as a family? Certainly not; it’s unfortunate. If the Inspector General of Police, including the first lady of Nigeria, and the President, are really in charge of this country, they must find these people and bring them to justice, no matter how long it takes.”
Ameh further disclosed that he and other family members have received death threats over their continued pursuit of justice for Ochanya.
“We must situate this issue in the right context because the Ogbujas are not acting alone. This is a lecturer at the state polytechnic in Ugbokolo. But he has the backing of top people because we have been harassed, intimidated, and threatened. In fact, my life is in danger,” he said.
He added that despite multiple petitions to the police about the threats, no meaningful action has been taken. “I wrote to the Inspector General of Police telling him that we need security, we need protection, including witnesses, that we are being intimidated not to go to court to testify in this matter.”
Ameh expressed dismay that the main suspect in the case, Victor Ogbuja, remains at large seven years after the crime. “Could you imagine for seven years that the police, for such a despicable crime, have refused to arrest the principal perpetrator of this crime. That is shocking,” he said.
Ochanya was allegedly sexually assaulted by Andrew Ogbuja, a lecturer at Benue State Polytechnic, and his son, Victor. While the Benue State High Court acquitted Andrew in 2022 for lack of sufficient evidence, Ochanya’s aunt, Felicia Ochiga-Ogbuja, received a five-month prison sentence without an option of fine for negligence.
Ochanya died on October 17, 2018, at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, from vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), a condition caused by the abuse.
The case has since sparked renewed nationwide calls for justice under the hashtag #JusticeForOchanya, with several Nigerians, including Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, expressing solidarity with the family.
She wrote on Facebook, “Seven years ago, the heart-wrenching story of little Ochanya devastated me. I thought the perpetrators were in jail. Alas, they were discharged and acquitted. The family of the late Ochanya Ogbanje should write a petition to me: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Room 2:05 Senate Wing, National Assembly Complex, Abuja. For our children, I stand for Justice for Ochanya.”