Gift Wogu

Whenever you look at the swirling cases of immorality going on in the world, you can’t help but wonder. Ogbanya Elizabeth Ogbanje was a 13-year old girl who died in 2018 from a Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) caused by chain rape by her uncle, Andrew Ogbuja, and her cousin, Victor Ogbuja. However, the perpetrators of this evil crime are still roaming free.

Ochanya was born in 2005 to a family in Benue State where there was no school in her village. Due to the unavailability of education, Ochanya was sent to live with her mother’s sister, Felicia Ogbuja, in Ogene-Amejo, Benue State when she was an 8-year old so she could get education. She was a very bright girl who wanted to be a doctor and was enrolled in the Federal Government Girls’ College in Gboko, Benue State, where she was a JSS 1 student.

Her life took a drastic turn when she was constantly raped by her cousin, Victor Ogbuja. Winifred Ogbuja, Ochanya’s cousin and Victor’s sister, found out about the abuse and reported it to their father. Unfortunately, Victor was let off with a mere scolding, and the father, Andrew Ogbuja joined the son to rape that innocent girl. The abuse went on for 5 years and as a result Ochanya developed VVF, a condition which occurs when the thin wall that separates the bladder and the vagina tears. When the wall tears, it creates a hole and the hole is called a fistula; this makes it impossible to hold urine, therefore the urine leaks. When she was so sick, she was sent to the Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi where she spent 2 months and 5 days. After she got discharged she finally told her mother what has been happening to her and her mother told Ochanya’s elder sister who in turn another aunty of theirs that began to raise awareness.

Ochanya wore diapers for four months due to incontinence and died on October 17, 2018. Ochanya’s case was taken to the Benue State High Court. The court acquitted Andrew Ogbuja in April 2022 saying that there was inconsistency in the evidence presented. Whereas, Felicia Ogbuja hid the medical reports of Ochanya so as to “save her marriage” from collapse. Shockingly, Andrew Ogbuja is still a lecturer, and his acquittal has raised concerns about the safety of students and children in his care.

This is a tale of how a young girl who just wanted to be a doctor had her future taken from her and had hell brought to her here on Earth. May she find the justice that she deserves.

HOW YOU CAN HELP GET JUSTICE FOR OCHANYA:

• Sign the petition which can be found here.
• Help raise awareness by posting about it on your socials. You don’t need to have a million followers,be an influencer or a content creator, your impact, no matter how little, is very relevant. (Don’t just post about the Hallelujah challenge. Let’s join hands and make this known)

• Teach young kids about assault and harassment. Become a safe space for children and let them know that they can share about their experiences whenever they want to.
• Donate, support and volunteer at organization that stand against sexual assault.