By Crystal Ugoeze
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) has called on the Senate to urgently investigate the death of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje, who reportedly suffered prolonged abuse in the home where she lived as a house help.
Presenting a petition on behalf of Inibehe Effiong Chambers during Wednesday’s plenary, the senator said key suspects were being shielded from accountability, despite serious allegations surrounding the girl’s death in 2018.
Ochanya, a student of the Federal Government Girls College, Gboko, had lived with the Ogbuja family from age five. According to the petition, she endured repeated abuse by both father and son, which led to severe medical complications and ultimately her death on October 17, 2018.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Senate to demand the arrest and prosecution of the prime suspect, Victor Ogbuja, and called on the Benue State Government to challenge the acquittal of his father, Andrew Ogbuja.
She further alleged attempts to intimidate witnesses and suppress the case, saying justice for the child had been delayed for too long.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, for investigation. The committee is expected to review the circumstances surrounding Ochanya’s death and assess claims of systemic failure in handling the case.
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