The lawmaker representing Kogi Central senatorial district, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Wednesday, charged the Senate to probe the circumstances surrounding the death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje.
News360 Info reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan submitted the petition on behalf of Inibehe Effiong Chambers during plenary.
The lawmaker in her address accused some individuals of attempting to “shield those responsible from accountability”.
Ochanya, a student of the Federal Government Girls College, Gboko, died in 2018 after reported complications linked to prolonged sexual abuse.
Akpoti-Uduaghan said, “This petition is on the refusal to arrest and prosecute Victor and Andrew Ogbuja, for the rape to death of a 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje.
“Ms Ochanya was sent to live with her maternal aunt, Felicia Ogbuja, at the age of five, in pursuit of better education.
“But unfortunately, her uncle, who is the husband of her maternal aunt, named Andrew Ogbuja, and his son, Victor Ogbuja, took turns to rape her from the age of six to 13, where she died.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan said the deceased “suffered severe violations for years, yet justice continues to be delayed and denied.
“It was reported that she developed VVF, which is the medical term for vesicovaginal fistula, and the fecal urinary incontinence.
“And this was basically because she was raped in her vagina and anus daily. This case represents a failure of the system to protect a child.”
The senator added that the matter “has lingered due to alleged interference, intimidation of witnesses, and attempts to downplay the crime.”
She urged the senate to ensure justice for the family and called for a comprehensive review of how children’s rights cases are handled in Nigeria.
“This Senate must send a strong message that the lives of Nigerian children matter and that justice cannot be negotiated,” she added.
The President of the 10th Senate, Godswill Akpabio, referred the petition to the committee on ethics, code of conduct and public petitions, to review the matter and present recommendations to the Senate.
