Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan joins renews call for justice in late Ochanya Ogbanje's case amid fresh public outrage

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan joins renews call for justice in late Ochanya Ogbanje's case amid fresh public outrage

By Benedicta Aboh

Seven years after the tragic death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has renewed calls for justice following reports that key suspects in the case are no longer facing punishment.

Ochanya, a minor from Benue State, died in 2018 after suffering complications allegedly linked to prolonged sexual abuse. Her death sparked widespread condemnation at the time, prompting protests, policy advocacy, and a wave of media investigations into child protection failures.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed shock at recent information suggesting the accused in the matter walked free.

“Seven years ago, the heart-wrenching story of little Ochanya devastated me. I thought the perpetrators were in jail. Alas, they were discharged and acquitted,” she wrote.

“For our children, I stand for justice for Ochanya,” she added, while acknowledging social media advocate #miss_natural1 for reviving public attention.

The #JusticeForOchanya campaign, which first gained national traction in 2018 and resurfaced periodically as the case staggered through the courts, has once again surged across social media, with Nigerians demanding accountability and stronger safeguards for minors.

Child-rights organisations have repeatedly cited Ochanya’s case in past reports and panel submissions as evidence of systemic weaknesses in Nigeria’s sexual violence response framework.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan called on the family to submit a fresh petition to her office at Room 2:05, Senate Wing, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, promising to escalate the matter with colleagues and relevant committees.

“As legislators, we must ensure that no child suffers this fate again,” she noted.