Sexual Abuse Victim: FIDA Wants Ochanya’s Killers Arrested, Prosecuted

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Benue State, Mr. Okon Ene, to arrest and prosecute the father and son that serially sexual abused the late Miss Ochanya Elizabeth Ogbanje.

The late Ochanya, 13, allegedly died from complications arising from over 6 years of sexual abuse by her guardian, Mr. Andrew Ogbuja, a staff at Benue State Polytechnic Ugbokolo, and his son Victor Inalegwu Ogbuja, a final year student at the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi.

In a statement to the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN) and made available to our correspondent, the chairperson, FIDA Benue State, Dr. Magdalene Dura, said “FIDA Benue has written a petition to the Commissioner of Police for the re-arrest and arrest of both suspects for the offences of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide as we are committed to getting Justice for Ochanya through legal process.”

Dr Dura explained that, “in June 2018, a case of Rape was reported to FIDA Benue involving 13 year old Ochanya Elizabeth Ogbanje. The suspects were named as Andrew Ogbuja (father) and Victor Ogbuja (son).

“Ochanya was at this time suffering from Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) as a result of the rape which was on going for over two years. Victor Ogbuja in particular, also indulged in anal sex with Ochanya.

“On the 8th of August, FIDA Benue took the victim, her mother Rose Abah and her care giver, Evangelist Margaret Soo (Founder of Restorer of Paths Care Foundation located in Otukpo, Benue State) to the Family Unit of the Police State Command, and made a complaint of rape against the two suspects,” Dura added.

She said the first suspect, Andrew Ogbuja was arrested, while his son remained at large adding that he was arraigned before Upper Area Court 1 in Makurdi on the 13/08/18 and granted bail on the 23/08/18.”

Making further explanation, the FIDA chairperson said that on the next adjourned date 24/09/18, the court did not sit and the case was further adjourned to the 5th of November 2018, stating that, “meanwhile the case file was forwarded for Legal advice to the Ministry of Justice and assigned to a State Counsel.”

She said FIDA Benue were able to get free treatment for Ochanya through a programme of the First Lady of Benue State, Mrs. Eunice Ortom.

Dr Dura revealed that Ochanya was examined and referred to Jos Teaching Hospital for corrective surgery which upon further examination at Jos, she was put on drugs.

“FIDA Benue was however informed by Ochanya’s caregiver that she was steadily responding to the drugs but sadly, on the 17th October, Ochanya passed on at Ultimate Care Hospital in Otukpo. (Not Benue State University Teaching Hospital as speculated).”