(DDM) – Seven years after the painful death of 13-year-old Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbanje, Nigerians have once again reignited calls for justice, flooding social media with outrage, memories, and renewed demands for accountability.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Ochanya, a student of Federal Government Girls College, Gboko, Benue State, died in October 2018 after years of alleged sexual abuse by her guardian, Mr. Andrew Ogbuja, and his son, Victor Ogbuja.
Her case drew national and international attention at the time, symbolizing the fight against child sexual abuse and systemic neglect in Nigeria’s justice system.
The young girl’s story, one of innocence shattered by those meant to protect her, triggered protests across several Nigerian cities and became a rallying cry for gender-based violence advocates.
Seven years later, frustration continues to mount as Nigerians question why justice appears elusive despite overwhelming evidence and years of court proceedings.
On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags such as #JusticeForOchanya and #EndRapeCulture began trending again on Tuesday, with many users accusing the judicial system of failing the late teenager.
Some activists have also called on the Benue State Government, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the Federal Ministry of Justice to reopen investigations and ensure all those responsible are brought to book.
According to court records, the primary suspect, Mr. Andrew Ogbuja, a lecturer at the Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, was charged with rape and murder following Ochanya’s death, which resulted from complications of vesicovaginal fistula caused by prolonged abuse.
While his son, Victor, was declared at large, civil society groups say the trial has dragged endlessly due to legal technicalities and lack of political will.
Women’s rights organizations like the Women Against Violence and Exploitation (WAVE) have condemned what they describe as a “culture of silence and delay” that continues to protect sexual predators in Nigeria.
They insist that justice delayed in Ochanya’s case equals justice denied, not only to her memory but to every vulnerable child suffering abuse in silence.
Many online users have shared emotional tributes, reminding the public that Ochanya’s courage in speaking out before her death should not be in vain.
Calls are also growing for the Federal Government to create specialized courts for handling sexual and gender-based violence cases to fast-track justice delivery.
As of the time of filing this report, both the Benue State Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice have yet to release new updates on the case.
But the message from Nigerians remains clear: Ochanya’s story must not be forgotten, and her killers must not go unpunished.
Justice, they say, must not only be served, it must be seen to be served.