SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI SEEKS INQUIRY INTO OCHANYA OGBAJE’S DEATH

Akpoti-Uduaghan said the late Ochanya “endured severe abuse for years, yet justice has continued to be delayed and denied.”

This petition concerns the failure to apprehend and prosecute Victor and Andrew Ogbuja for the fatal sexual assault of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje,” Akpoti-Uduaghan stated.

“Ms. Ochanya was placed in the care of her maternal aunt, Felicia Ogbuja, at the age of five to access a better education.”

She noted that the victim eventually developed vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) and fecal urinary incontinence   conditions reportedly caused by the repeated sexual assaults she suffered.

This petition concerns the failure to apprehend and prosecute Victor and Andrew Ogbuja for the fatal sexual assault of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje,” Akpoti-Uduaghan stated.

“Ms. Ochanya was placed in the care of her maternal aunt, Felicia Ogbuja, at the age of five to access a better education.”

“This child was subjected to unimaginable violations on a daily basis. Her case reflects a profound failure of the system to protect her,” the senator said.

She further stated that progress on the case “has been stalled by alleged interference, witness intimidation, and attempts to minimise the gravity of the crime.”

She urged the senate to guarantee justice for the victim’s family and called for a thorough review of how child-rights cases are managed across the country.

“This Senate must make it clear that the lives of Nigerian children are invaluable and that justice is not negotiable,” she said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions for investigation and to submit its recommendations to the senate.