By Charles Pemu 
Nigeria — Seven years after the tragic death of 13-year-old Ochanya Elizabeth Ogbanje, the poignant call for #JusticeForOchanya has once again ignited a national conversation on child sexual violence and the failures of the justice system to protect the vulnerable.
Ochanya, a promising Junior Secondary School student from Benue State, died on October 17, 2018, from severe medical complications, including Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF), following years of alleged continuous sexual abuse. The abuse was reportedly perpetrated by her aunt’s husband, Andrew Ogbuja, and his son, Victor Ogbuja, in whose care she had been entrusted for her education.
A Symbol of National Indifference
Ochanya’s story has become a tragic symbol of the devastating scale of child sexual violence in Nigeria, where statistics indicate that one in every four girls may experience such abuse before adulthood. The horror of her case is compounded by the disturbing outcome in the courts.
In a move that shocked the nation and fueled the original outrage, the Benue State High Court in Makurdi discharged and acquitted Andrew Ogbuja in April 2022 of all four counts of rape and causing the girl’s death. The judge cited technicalities, including alleged inconsistencies in the autopsy reports and the failure of investigators to conduct a timely medical examination on the accused.
While the primary accused walked free, his wife, Felicia Ochiga-Ogbuja (Ochanya’s aunt), was convicted by a separate Federal High Court for negligence that exposed the child to abuse. She was sentenced to five months in prison without a fine, a verdict many critics deemed grossly inadequate given the gravity of the circumstances leading to the child’s death. The other alleged co-perpetrator, Victor Ogbuja, remains at large.
Celebrities and Citizens Demand Appeal
The seventh anniversary of Ochanya’s death has driven thousands of citizens, activists, and prominent figures, including celebrities like Tiwa Savage and influencer Tunde Ednut, to revive the #JusticeForOchanya movement across social media platforms.
The renewed campaign is demanding accountability and is specifically urging the Benue State Government to immediately challenge the court verdict that freed Andrew Ogbuja. Activists argue that the failure to secure conviction in such a high-profile case sends a dangerous signal of impunity and undermines the state’s commitment to child protection laws.
Ochanya’s ordeal highlights the devastating physical and psychological toll of child abuse a silent war that robs survivors of trust, safety, and self-worth, often leading to lifelong physical damage and social isolation. The ongoing struggle for justice in her name underscores the urgent need for a judicial system that prioritizes the welfare of child victims over legal technicalities.