A lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has forwarded a petition to the Senate, seeking an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of 13-year-old girl, Ochanya Ogbaje.
Ochanya, a student of the Federal Government Girls College, Gboko, Benue state, died on October 17, 2018, after reported complications linked to prolonged sexual abuse allegedly by a father, Andrew Ogbuja and his son, Victor Ogbuja.
In the petition, submitted during plenary on Wednesday on behalf of the Inibehe Effiong Chambers by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP Kogi Central), the petitioner alleged plans to “shield those responsible from accountability” by some influential individuals.
He particularly called for the arrest and prosecution of the suspects, adding that the Benue state government should challenge the acquittal of the father, of the case.
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, while giving the synopsis of the petition, 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 Ogbaje.
“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.”
She lamented that 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.
“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,” she stressed.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan added that the matter “has lingered due to alleged interference, intimidation of witnesses, and attempts to downplay the crime”, urging the Senate to ensure justice for the family and called for a comprehensive review of how children’s rights cases are handled in Nigeria.
“This Senate must send a strong message that the lives of Nigerian children matter and that justice cannot be negotiated,” she said
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (APC Edo South), and to report back within two weeks.
