Probe Ochanya’s death, Senator Natasha writes Senate

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA- SENATOR Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, PDP, Kogi Central, has forwarded a petition to the Senate, asking it to urgently probe the circumstances surrounding the death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who submitted the petition on Wednesday on behalf of Inibehe Effiong Chambers during plenary, accused some individuals of attempting to “shield those responsible from accountability”.

Ms Ochanya, a student of the Federal Government Girls College, Gboko, died on October 17, 2018, after reported complications linked to prolonged sexual abuse.

The petition calls for 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.

Ochanya, who had lived with the Ogbuja family from age five, allegedly suffered repeated sexual abuse by both father and son, leading to severe health complications and her eventual death.

The petition criticises the Nigeria Police Force for failing to rearrest Victor after he absconded and highlights the state government’s refusal to appeal the High Court ruling that freed Andrew.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said, “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, who is the husband to her maternal aunt, named Andrew Ogbuja, and his son, Victor Ogbuja, took turns to rape her from the age of six to 13, where she died.”

According to the Senator, the deceased “suffered severe violations for years, yet justice continues to be delayed and denied”.

“It was reported that she developed VVF, which is the medical term for vesicovaginal fistula, also the fecal urinary incontinence,” she said.

“And this was basically because she was raped from her vagina and anus daily. This case represents a failure of the system to protect a child.”

The senator added that the matter “has lingered due to alleged interference, intimidation of witnesses, and attempts to downplay the crime”.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who urged the Senate to ensure justice for the family and called for a comprehensive review of how children’s rights cases are handled in Nigeria, said, “This Senate must send a strong message that the lives of Nigerian children matter and that justice cannot be negotiated.”

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, noting the lack of ongoing legal proceedings, referred the petition to the Senator Neda Imasuen, APC, Edo South-led Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions for review.

The Committee is expected to investigate the circumstances of Ochanya’s abuse, death, and the apparent failure of justice, and may compel the state government to file the long-demanded appeal.

The post Probe Ochanya’s death, Senator Natasha writes Senate appeared first on Vanguard News.