Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has submitted a petition to the Senate seeking an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje, who passed away in 2018 after years of alleged sexual abuse.
The petition, presented on Wednesday on behalf of Inibehe Effiong Chambers, accuses some individuals of attempting to shield the suspects from prosecution.
Ochanya, a student of the Federal Government Girls College, Gboko, died on October 17, 2018, after suffering complications reportedly caused by prolonged abuse that led to conditions such as vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) and fecal-urinary incontinence.
The petition calls for the arrest and prosecution of the prime suspect, Victor Ogbuja, and urges the Benue State Government to appeal the acquittal of his father, Andrew Ogbuja.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said Ochanya had lived with the Ogbuja family from the age of five and allegedly endured repeated sexual violence by both men, which ultimately resulted in fatal medical complications.
“This petition addresses the continued refusal to arrest and prosecute Victor and Andrew Ogbuja for the rape and death of young Ochanya Ogbanje,” she said. “This child endured unimaginable violations for years, yet justice has been delayed and denied. Her case exposes a deep failure in our system to protect vulnerable children.”
The senator also cited allegations of interference in the case, intimidation of witnesses, and efforts to downplay the severity of the crime. She urged the Senate to ensure justice is served and to push for a broader review of how children’s rights cases are managed in Nigeria.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, noting that there are currently no active legal proceedings on the matter, referred the petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (APC, Edo South).
The committee is expected to probe the circumstances surrounding Ochanya’s abuse and death, examine alleged failures in the pursuit of justice, and may compel the Benue State Government to file the long-overdue appeal.
