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Seven years after the tragic death of 13-year-old Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbanje, Nigerians are once again rallying online under the hashtag #JusticeForOchanya, calling for renewed prosecution of those accused in the case that once shocked the nation.
Ochanya, a native of Benue State, reportedly endured years of sexual abuse before her death in 2018. Social media users have reignited the campaign, demanding that the authorities reopen the case and bring all suspects—particularly those still at large—to justice.
The renewed movement began after activists and child rights advocates revisited the details of her ordeal, questioning why key suspects continue to walk free.
A Promising Student Whose Life Was Cut Short
Elizabeth Ochanya moved to Makurdi in 2013 to live with her aunt while attending school, driven by dreams of becoming a doctor. However, her ambitions were shattered when she allegedly became a victim of sustained sexual assault over a period of five years by a lecturer at Benue State Polytechnic, Dr. Andrew Ogbuja, and his son, Victor.
The abuse, according to reports, caused severe medical complications, including Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF), a condition that led to multiple hospitalizations. Despite undergoing treatment, Ochanya died on October 18, 2018, at the General Hospital in Otukpo.
An autopsy revealed evidence consistent with prolonged sexual abuse, sparking nationwide protests and the original #JusticeForOchanya movement in 2018.
Court Decisions and Unresolved Questions
Dr. Andrew Ogbuja was charged with rape and child defilement under the Child Rights Act and later arraigned before a Benue State High Court. However, in 2021, the court acquitted him, citing insufficient evidence to convict.
His wife, Felicia Ogbuja, was sentenced to five months in prison for negligence, while their son, Victor, who was also accused in the case, was never brought to trial. Reports indicate that he is currently living in Lagos and pursuing a music career, a revelation that has further fueled public anger.
Activists are now calling for the Benue State Government, the police, and the Ministry of Justice to revisit the case and ensure accountability.
Renewed Outcry and Public Pressure
The recent resurgence of the #JusticeForOchanya campaign gained traction late last week after child rights advocate Betty Abah raised questions about how Dr. Ogbuja was released from custody without proper notice to the victim’s family.
She called on authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding his release and to ensure justice is served, describing the case as a “stain on Nigeria’s justice system.”
Within 48 hours, the hashtag had generated over 10,000 posts on X (formerly Twitter), as users expressed outrage, shared survivor testimonies, and demanded Victor Ogbuja’s immediate arrest.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Steps In
Amid the renewed outcry, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, publicly declared her support for the cause, promising to take action in the National Assembly.
“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,” she wrote on Instagram.
She further urged Ochanya’s family to submit a formal petition to her office: “The family of 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.”
Her statement has been widely shared by campaigners who see her involvement as a potential turning point in the long-delayed pursuit of justice.
Beyond Ochanya: A Broader Call for Change
The movement has evolved beyond a single case, linking to broader national conversations about gender-based violence, child protection, and ending child marriage. Many Nigerians are now using the campaign to highlight systemic failures in protecting vulnerable children, especially girls.
As the hashtag continues to trend, public pressure is mounting on Benue State authorities to reopen the case and ensure that justice—long denied—finally prevails for Ochanya.
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