Ochanya's Case: Justice Will Be Served --NAPTIP

A placard with picture of late Ochanya Elizabeth Ogbanje

The National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons, (NAPTIP) has assured that justice Will be metes out to culprits in the Ochanya rape tragedy.

Addressing protesters from the Justice for Ochanya group at the Agency's Abuja headquarters Friday, Mr. Vincent Adekoya , Head of Media at NAPTIP said, "I can assure you, justice Will be served in this case."

The protesters, mainly young women, gathered outside the NAPTIP office shouting, "What do we want? Justice for Ochanya! When do we want it? Now!" To drive home their frustration over a case that had lingered  since 2018.  Their placards carried messages like, "She could have been a politician, a doctor, a lawyer, etc." one placard read. Another "Justice for Ochanya is justice for all." And yet another, "Reopen the Case: We Stand for Justice."

Some placards displayed the picture of a young man donning earring, named Victor with the caption "Wanted" and a bounty of a thousand US dollars.

Mr. Adekoya welcomed the demonstrators on behalf of the Director-General, Binta Lami Adamu-Bello whom he said shared the grief of all Nigerians over the tragic case of young Ochanya.

"The case of Ochanya is a case that is very dear to her as a mother. And NAPTIP has been concerned about this case right from the beginning."

Mr. Adekoya revealed that the agency prosecuted the woman Ochanya's aunt, Felicia Ogboja, and secured conviction for negligence and failure to protect the young girl. He narrated that the woman's husband was prosecuted by a sister agency and was set free by the court.

Reacting to the protesters' agitation that Victor, son of Felicia Ogboja who had been on the run since, be brought to justice, Mr. Adekoya explained that the Benue command of NAPTIP had been directed to liaise with the concerned sister agency to ensure justice is served.

"The Benue State Ministry of Justice has reopened the case. And the DG has directed we avail them of the evidences at our disposal. Even this morning we have written them.  And our Benue State Command has been directed to lease with the sister agency." He stated.

He stressed that NAPTIP has been living up to its billing to "ensure that no person is brutalized, no person is abused, no person is victimized." He revealed that the agency just secured conviction earlier in the week for a man who raped a nine year old girl.

He assured the that Nigerians would see concerted action and a speedy result in the case.

Ochanya Elizabeth Ogbanje, from Ugbokolo in Benue State was sent by her mother, Rose Abah, to live with her aunt, Felicia Ogboja  in Markurdi, Benue State.  The mother and daughter hoped Rose would help educate Ochanya for a better future. Contrary wise however, she was serially raped  by her uncle, Andrew Ogbuja and his son, Victor Ogbuja from the age of eight with the knowledge of her aunt. 

Ochanya died in 2018 aged thirteen years from vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) complications.

Ochanya would have been twenty old this year. Her tender heart carried the secret, pain and agony alone for years. She however, confided in her mother in her death bed.

Speaking with Nigeria Point Blank, Mr. Adekoya reaffirmed  NAPTIP would go all out to to ensure justice is served.