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Summary
We call for justice for Ochanya Ogbanje. The 13-year-old girl was raped for five years by her guardian, Andrew Ogbuja, and his son Victor Ogbuja. It's been seven years, and despite testimonials, her rapists still roam free.
We at Naija Feminists Media are joining women’s rights advocates and well-meaning Nigerians in their call for justice for Ochanya Ogbanje. The 13-year-old girl was raped for five years by her guardian, Andrew Ogbuja, and his son, Victor Ogbuja. From the age of eight until her death, Ochanya endured relentless sexual violence that left her with a vesicovaginal fistula and other health complications that eventually took her life.
Seven years later, the men who destroyed her body and her future are walking free, living without consequence, while Ochanya lies in the grave with her dreams buried beside her. This is Nigeria neglecting girls again. One in four girls in Nigeria experiences sexual violence by men before the age of 18. Nigeria has a paedophilia problem, and allowing child rapists to go free further compounds it.
Ochanya was a child seeking education and safety. Instead, she was raped repeatedly in the home that should have protected her, and the system that should have defended her looked away. We demand immediate action from the Benue State Government and the Federal Ministry of Justice. Reopen the case. Prosecute the Ogbujas. Hold every complicit authority accountable. The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act exists for cases like this — use it.
Every second that passes without justice for Ochanya emboldens abusers across the country. Nigeria cannot be a ratification of international bodies against child abuse, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, yet it has no policy implementation. The time is now to stop protecting men over girls’ safety and dignity.
In solidarity,
Naija Feminists Media
