Justice for Ochanya: NBA-HRI Demands Reopening of Case Against Ogbuja Family
For Immediate Attention: IGP, AGF, Benue State Government, NHRC, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, and the Presidency
JUSTICE FOR LATE MISS ELIZABETH OCHANYA OGBANJE-A NATION CANNOT MOVE ON WHILE INNOCENCE LIES IN THE GRAVE!
Today, as a father, a human rights defender, who has walked the corridors of justice for over a decade, I speak with a heart on fire.
The soul of Nigeria’s justice system is under trial, and its verdict will be written in the tears of a 13-year-old girl named Ochanya.
She was only eight when she left her parents’ home in search of education and a better future. She went to live with those she called guardians, a lecturer, his wife, and their son believing they would help her chase her dream of becoming a medical doctor. Instead, they destroyed her life.
For five years, she was violated by both father and son. The wife, who should have been her shield, allegedly covered it up.
And when her little body finally broke, when she succumbed to infection and trauma from those repeated assaults, the system broke too.
The very system sworn to protect her failed her, failed her parents, and failed Nigeria.
WHERE IS JUSTICE?
1. The father, a lecturer, was acquitted in 2022.
2. The son, Victor, was never prosecuted and remains free.
3. The wife, convicted only of negligence, spent five months in jail, five months for looking away while a child was tortured to death.
4. The parents of Ochanya, simple, peace-loving people of Benue State, have been left to mourn in silence, while those responsible for their daughter’s death live in liberty and comfort.
This is not justice.
This is an open wound on the conscience of our nation.
WE DEMAND IMMEDIATE ACTION-NOW!
We call upon the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Benue State Government.
1. Reopen the case file of State v. Andrew & Victor Ogbuja.
The file must be retrieved, reviewed, and re-examined in the light of new evidence, public interest, and procedural lapses that led to the miscarriage of justice.
2. Arrest and charge Victor Ogbuja immediately.
A wanted person cannot remain free while a victim lies beneath the soil.
3. Institute a Judicial Review Panel on the handling of this case, to audit the investigation, prosecution, and judgment that resulted in acquittal.
4. Provide state-funded legal representation for the family of the deceased through the NBA-HRI and the Office of the Public Defender.
5. Establish a Child Sexual Offences Response Desk in every state of the Federation to prevent the next Ochanya.
6. Publicly release the autopsy report, police investigation records, and the court’s full judgment for transparency.
A REMINDER TO THE STATE:
Justice delayed is not only justice denied, it is complicity.
A government that cannot protect its children cannot claim legitimacy before its people.
We refuse to be silent. We refuse to move on.
WE STAND WITH OCHANYA -REOPEN THE CASE, ARREST THE SUSPECTS, PROSECUTE WITH TRANSPARENCY. FOR OUR CHILDREN.
FOR THE FAMILY OF OCHANYA:
To her grieving parents, your tears will not be wasted.
The NBA-HRI stands with you. We will pursue every lawful means from appeal to national advocacy, until your daughter’s name is cleared and her killers face judgment.
TO THE NATION:
Let every citizen raise their voice.
Let every mother, father, teacher, lawyer, and child say: Not Again!
We cannot build a nation on the graves of our daughters.
This is not just about Ochanya.
It is about the value of every Nigerian child.
Until justice is served,
We will protest offline and online.
We will petition every authority,
We will speak in every media house,
We will write to the President if we must.
Because silence is betrayal.
And this nation will not betray its daughters again.
NBA-HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE (NBA-HRI)
Standing for Justice, Humanity, and the Protection of the Nigerian Child.
Signed:
Sabastine Anyia, Esq.
1st Vice President &
NBA – HRI
For Nigerian Bar Association
