The Ogbanje family of Ogene-Amejo, Okpowu Local Government, Benue State, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) to arrest Victor Ogbuja, accused of raping their late teenage daughter, Ochanya Ogbanje, leading to her death, and fleeing justice.
The petition, titled “Petition on police refusal to arrest and prosecute Victor Ogbuja over the gruesome rape to death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje after seven years”, was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
The family urged the I-G to declare Ogbuja wanted, put him on a watchlist, and launch a manhunt for his arrest, noting that police have failed to act despite public outrage.
“Ochanya, then a junior secondary school student of the Federal Government Girls’ College, Gboko, Benue, died on Oct. 17, 2018, due to health complications from years of prolonged rape at the hands of the Ogbujas while she lived with them,” the petition, filed by their lawyer Inibehe Effiong, stated.
The family claims the suspect currently lives in Lagos and requested that the case file be recalled to the Force Headquarters for further investigation. They also sought police protection due to ongoing threats and intimidation from the Ogbuja family, described as influential and politically connected.
“The seeming refusal of the police to apprehend Victor Ogbuja has occasioned a grievous injustice, not only to the late Ochanya, but also poses a danger to innocent girls and women unaware of his predatory habits,” the petition added.
Tragic Details of the Case
- Ochanya was taken from Ogene-Amejo village at age five to live with her relative, Mrs. Felicia Ogbuja, in Ugbokolo for better schooling.
- From age seven, she was allegedly sexually abused repeatedly, leading to faecal and urinary incontinence.
- At 13, she disclosed her condition to her carer, Evangelist Enuwa Soo, who took her to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.
- Despite medical attention, Ochanya’s condition worsened, and she died on October 17, 2018.
The suspect’s mother, Felicia Ogbuja, was convicted and sentenced to five months imprisonment for neglecting Ochanya, which enabled the sexual abuse.
The family is now appealing for urgent action to bring the fleeing suspect to justice and prevent further harm to other vulnerable girls.
