Foundation Renews Demand for Justice in Ochanya Abuse Case

The Kunie Foundation has again called for justice for 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje, a schoolgirl from Benue State who died in 2018 after suffering complications linked to prolonged sexual abuse. The group made the appeal on Friday in a statement issued in Enugu by its Communications Manager, Uchenna Igboeme.

The foundation urged authorities to take stronger action to ensure justice for the late student of the Federal Government Girls College, Gboko, whose death continues to stir public outrage years after the alleged offenders, Victor and Andrew Ogbuja, were accused of assaulting her.

According to the statement, Ochanya’s case remains a painful reminder of the gaps in Nigeria’s justice system and the continued suffering of victims of sexual and gender-based violence. The organisation expressed concern over the slow pace of legal proceedings, saying the delay in justice encourages impunity and puts more children at risk.

The foundation called for stronger child protection systems and full enforcement of laws such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act to protect victims and their families. It said its mission focuses on advocacy and community-based programmes that protect women and children and help prevent gender-based violence.

Kunie Foundation urged the Benue State Government, the Ministry of Justice, the National Human Rights Commission, and law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and bring those responsible for Ochanya’s abuse to justice. The group also appealed to Nigerians, civil society groups, and the media to continue to push for accountability in the case.

In 2022, a Benue High Court discharged and acquitted the accused persons after ruling that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The decision was based on the absence of medical evidence linking the accused to the crime and inconsistencies between two autopsy reports.

The case has, however, continued to attract strong public attention, with celebrities and activists—including Tiwa Savage, Aisha Yesufu, and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan—renewing calls for justice through the #JusticeForOchanya campaign.

The campaign aims to keep pressure on authorities and ensure that no child in Nigeria experiences the same ordeal again.