Seven years after the death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje, whose tragic case of sexual abuse sparked nationwide outrage, Nigerians are once again demanding justice — particularly the arrest of Victor Ogbuja, the key suspect who has been on the run since 2018.
Victor, the son of Andrew Ogbuja, a lecturer at the Benue State Polytechnic in Ugbokolo, was accused alongside his father of repeatedly raping Ochanya, their relative, until she fell ill and later died from complications linked to years of abuse.
On April 22, 2022, the Benue State High Court acquitted Mr Ogbuja of the charges of rape and culpability in Ochanya’s death. However, on the same day, the Federal High Court in Makurdi convicted his wife, Felicia Ochiga-Ogbuja, for negligence that exposed Ochanya to abuse. She was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment without an option of fine.
Despite these rulings, Victor remains at large and has never faced trial.
Ochanya, then a Junior Secondary School student at the Federal Government Girls College, Gboko, died on October 17, 2018, after being diagnosed with Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) — a condition doctors linked to prolonged sexual assault. Her death triggered protests and advocacy campaigns across Nigeria and abroad.
Renewed Outrage Online
Marking her seventh death anniversary last week, Nigerians took to X (Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok to revive the hashtag #JusticeForOchanya, urging authorities to reopen the case and arrest Victor Ogbuja.
The online campaign also drew attention to the Ogbuja family, particularly a young woman identified as Winifred Ogbuja, who deactivated her social media account after facing public scrutiny. While she has not been accused of any crime, online users circulated unverified photos and posts linking her to the case.
Popular social media influencer Tunde Ednut joined the calls for justice, posting to his 8.7 million Instagram followers:
“A father and son are alleged to have abused a little girl until she died. This is sad, and this girl must get justice. Ochanya must get justice.”
A Change.org petition titled Justice for Ochanya is also gaining signatures, urging the Nigeria Police Force and Benue State Government to act.
Activists Demand Action
Child rights advocate Betty Abah renewed her appeal for the authorities to track down Victor Ogbuja, calling on the Ministry of Women Affairs, NAPTIP, and FIDA to ensure the case is not forgotten.
“Reports suggest he is now in Lagos pursuing a music career, despite an arrest warrant,” she wrote. “It is time to reopen and pursue this case so that, even in death, Ochanya gets justice.”
Legal Developments
In November 2022, the Court of Appeal in Makurdi upheld Mrs Ochiga-Ogbuja’s conviction, describing her failure to protect Ochanya as a “crime of omission.”
Delivering judgment, Justice Hassan Muslim said:
“She omitted to take action against the sexual exploitation of Ochanya by her husband and her son… Her conduct deserves more time of imprisonment to deter others of like minds.”
The appellate court also commended FIDA, NAPTIP, and caregiver Enewa Soo for ensuring the matter reached court despite attempts to treat it as a “family issue.”
While the Benue High Court acquitted Andrew Ogbuja, both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal have alluded to his and Victor’s alleged involvement in the abuse that led to Ochanya’s death.
A Dream Cut Short
Ochanya had left her rural home in Ogene-Amejo for Ugbokolo in hopes of receiving better education. Instead, she endured years of abuse that ultimately led to her death at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, in 2018.
Her story continues to haunt Nigeria’s justice system — a reminder of how gaps in enforcement and accountability still leave vulnerable children without protection.
