Seven years after the heartbreaking death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje, Nigerians are once again raising their voices in anger and sorrow, demanding justice for the young girl whose life was cut short by years of unimaginable abuse.
Ochanya, a student at the Federal Government Girls College, Gboko, in Benue State, died on October 17, 2018, after suffering from complications caused by vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF)—a medical condition doctors linked to prolonged sexual abuse. Investigations revealed that her uncle, Andrew Ogbuja, a lecturer at the Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, and his son, Victor, had allegedly assaulted her repeatedly for years while she lived under their care.
The case sparked outrage across Nigeria when it came to light in 2018, inspiring the hashtag #JusticeForOchanya and igniting one of the country’s strongest social movements against child sexual abuse. But seven years later, justice remains elusive. While Andrew Ogbuja was charged and arraigned, the case has crawled through the courts with endless adjournments, and Victor Ogbuja has yet to be apprehended.
This week, as Nigerians marked the anniversary of Ochanya’s death, the cry for justice has grown louder once again. Activists, students, and rights advocates gathered in candlelight processions in Makurdi and Abuja, calling on the government and judiciary to end what they describe as “a national shame.” The streets echoed with chants of “Justice for Ochanya!” as marchers carried placards bearing her photo—her smile frozen in time, her story unfinished.
“It’s heartbreaking that after seven years, one of the accused is still walking free,” said Grace Tallen, former Minister of Women Affairs. “The system continues to fail young girls like Ochanya every day.”
For many Nigerians, Ochanya’s story represents more than just one family’s tragedy—it’s a mirror reflecting the country’s deep-rooted failures in protecting children and holding abusers accountable. Rights groups argue that the justice system is too slow, too lenient, and too indifferent to victims of sexual violence.
Dr. Amina Oji, a gender rights activist, described the case as a painful symbol of institutional neglect. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” she said. “How do we explain to young girls that their lives matter when a case like this can drag on for seven years without closure?”
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Benue State Ministry of Justice have both promised to see the case through, but many citizens say they’ve heard those assurances before. What they want now is action.
Ochanya’s name has become a rallying cry in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against sexual and gender-based violence. Her story has inspired legal reforms, sparked protests, and pushed many to speak out about their own experiences. Yet, for all the progress in awareness, true justice—for Ochanya and for thousands of other victims—remains painfully out of reach.
As the candles burned low at a memorial vigil in Abuja, one young woman whispered, “Ochanya should have been in university by now. She should have been living her dreams.” Around her, others nodded silently, some wiping tears. For them, remembering Ochanya is not just about mourning—it’s about demanding change.
“Justice for Ochanya is justice for every child who has been silenced,” said activist Dorothy Njemanze. “We will not stop until her name becomes a symbol of victory over sexual violence, not a reminder of pain.”
Seven years on, Nigeria still waits for that justice. But as voices rise again across the nation, one thing is clear: the fight for Ochanya’s justice is far from over.
