The Kunie Foundation, a leading voice in child protection and gender advocacy, has issued a renewed call for justice in the tragic case of Ochanya Elizabeth Ogbanje, the 13-year-old schoolgirl who died in 2018 following years of alleged sexual abuse in Benue State.
In a statement released on Friday, the foundation’s Communications Manager, Uchenna Igboeme, expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the unresolved nature of the case, describing Ochanya’s death as a “chilling reminder of systemic failures that continue to deny vulnerable girls justice in Nigeria.”
Ochanya, a Junior Secondary School student at the Federal Government Girls College, Gboko, died on October 17, 2018, from complications linked to Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) and other health issues allegedly caused by prolonged sexual abuse. The accused, Victor Ogbuja and his father Dr. Andrew Ogbuja, were maternal relatives of the victim and reportedly subjected her to years of assault while she lived with them in Makurdi.
Although Dr. Ogbuja was arraigned, the Benue State High Court controversially acquitted him, sparking widespread public outcry. Ochanya’s aunt and guardian, Felicia Ogbuja, was convicted for negligence and sentenced to five months in prison.
The Kunie Foundation’s renewed appeal comes amid a resurgence of the #JusticeForOchanya movement on social media, with Nigerians demanding accountability and systemic reform. The foundation urged the government to reopen the case and ensure that justice is served, not only for Ochanya but for all victims of abuse.
“We cannot allow this case to fade into silence. Ochanya’s story must be a catalyst for change,” Igboeme said. “We call on the judiciary, law enforcement, and civil society to stand together in demanding justice and protecting our children.”