Senator Natasha Akpoti Vows To Seek Justice For Late Rape Victim, Ochanya Ogbanje

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has pledged to pursue justice for 13-year-old Ochanya Elizabeth Ogbanje, whose death in 2018 sparked nationwide outrage and the #JusticeForOchanya campaign.

KanyiDaily recalls that Ochanya Ogbanje died from complications related to Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) after suffering years of sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated by her guardian’s husband, 61-year-old Andrew Ogbuja, and his son, Victor Ogbuja.

She was buried on November 2, 2018, in Ogene-Amejo Village, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.

Andrew, a lecturer at Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, and his son were accused of repeatedly molesting Ochanya from the age of eight, leading to the severe health complications that eventually caused her death.

In recent days, renewed calls for justice have flooded social media as Nigerians revisited the case, demanding accountability for the teenager’s death.

Reacting to the development, Senator Natasha Akpoti took to her social media page on Thursday to express shock over reports that the accused persons had been discharged and acquitted.

The senator urged Ochanya’s family to submit a formal petition to her office to enable her to take up the case.

“Seven years ago, the story of little Ochanya devastated me. I thought the perpetrators were in jail. Alas, they were discharged and acquitted.

“The family of late Ochanya Ogbanje should write a petition to me. For our children, I stand for justice,” she wrote.

KanyiDaily recalls that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan recently asked the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to dismiss the criminal defamation case filed against her.