Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, has asked the Senate to probe the circumstances surrounding the death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje.
Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted the petition on behalf of Inibehe
Effiong Chambers during plenary on Wednesday.
The senator accused some individuals of attempting to
“shield those responsible from accountability”.
Ochanya, a student of the Federal Government Girls College,
Gboko, died in 2018 after reported complications linked to prolonged sexual
abuse.
“This petition is on the refusal to arrest and prosecute
Victor and Andrew Ogbuja, for the rape to death of a 13-year-old Ochanya
Ogbanje,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said.
“Ms. Ochanya was sent to live with her maternal aunt,
Felicia Ogbuja, at the age of five, in pursuit of better education.
“But unfortunately, her uncle, who is the husband to her
maternal aunt, named Andrew Ogbuja, and his son, Victor Ogbuja, took turns to
rape her from the age of six to 13, where she died.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan said the deceased “suffered severe
violations for years, yet justice continues to be delayed and denied”.
“It was reported that she developed VVF, which is the
medical term for vesicovaginal fistula, also the fecal urinary incontinence,”
she said.
“And this was basically because she was raped from her
vagina and anus daily. This case represents a failure of the system to protect
a child.”
The senator added that the matter “has lingered due to
alleged interference, intimidation of witnesses, and attempts to downplay the
crime”.
She urged the senate to ensure justice for the family and
called for a comprehensive review of how children’s rights cases are handled in
Nigeria.
“This Senate must send a strong message that the lives of
Nigerian children matter and that justice cannot be negotiated,” she added.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the petition to
the committee on ethics, code of conduct and public petitions, to review the
matter and present recommendations to the senate.
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