#JusticeForOchanya: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Pledges Support to Family of Late Teen Victim

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has expressed deep concern over the controversial case of 13-year-old Ochanya Elizabeth Ogbanje, who died in 2018 after enduring years of alleged sexual abuse.

In a statement shared on her Instagram page, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was heartbroken to learn that the main suspect in the case had been discharged and acquitted. She called on the victim’s family to submit a formal petition to her office in the National Assembly to enable her to take legislative action in pursuit of justice.

“Years ago, the heartbreaking story of little Ochanya devastated me. I believed the perpetrators were behind bars, but to my shock, they were discharged and acquitted,” the senator wrote. “I’m calling on the family of the late Ochanya Ogbanje to send a petition to my office: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Room 2:05, Senate Wing, National Assembly Complex, Abuja. For our children, I stand for justice for Ochanya.”

Ochanya’s tragic case remains one of Nigeria’s most talked-about examples of child sexual abuse. The young girl lived with Benue State Polytechnic lecturer, Andrew Ogbuja, and his wife, Felicia Ochiga-Ogbuja, while attending school. Reports and a video she recorded before her death revealed that she was allegedly raped repeatedly for five years by Ogbuja and his son, Victor.

In October 2018, Ochanya died from complications associated with Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF), a severe condition linked to prolonged sexual assault. Her death sparked national outrage and the viral social media movement #JusticeForOchanya, demanding accountability and stronger child protection laws.

However, in April 2022, the Benue State High Court in Makurdi acquitted Andrew Ogbuja of rape and murder charges. On the same day, a Federal High Court convicted his wife, Felicia, for negligence and failure to protect Ochanya, sentencing her to five months in prison without the option of a fine.

The acquittal reignited widespread anger and disappointment, prompting Nigerians to revive the #JusticeForOchanya campaign this week across social media platforms.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, known for her strong advocacy on women’s and children’s rights, joined the growing calls for renewed legal scrutiny of the case. She reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that vulnerable children are protected and that no injustice is allowed to stand.

Public reaction to her statement has been overwhelmingly positive, with citizens praising her courage and urging other lawmakers to support efforts toward justice.

Activists say her intervention could mark a new phase in the long fight for accountability in Ochanya’s case. They argue that the tragedy highlights the urgent need for tougher child protection laws, stricter punishment for sexual offenders, and greater awareness of the devastating impact of abuse-related conditions like VVF.

As the #JusticeForOchanya movement gains fresh momentum, many Nigerians hope this renewed attention will finally bring closure and justice to the young girl’s family.