The senator from Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has requested that the senate look into the circumstances surrounding 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje’s death.
During Wednesday’s plenary, Akpoti-Uduaghan presented the appeal on behalf of Inibehe Effiong Chambers.
According to the senator some persons are trying to “shield those responsible from accountability.”
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Ochanya, a student at the Federal Government Girls College in Gboko, passed away in 2018 following difficulties that were allegedly caused by long-term sexual assault.
“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”.
“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 further stated the issue “has lingered due to alleged interference, intimidation of witnesses, and attempts to downplay the crime”.
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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.
Following Senator Natasha’s plea, 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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