The tragic case of Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbanje, the 13-year-old Benue schoolgirl whose death in 2018 sparked national outrage, has been officially reopened, reigniting conversations about child protection and justice in Nigeria.

Reports confirmed that the Senate Committee on Women Affairs has begun reviewing new petitions following pressure from advocacy groups and public figures calling for renewed investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ochanya’s death.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan recently announced that her office is now receiving submissions from the victim’s family and legal representatives as part of the reopening process. She emphasized that the aim is to ensure that “no voice is silenced in the pursuit of justice.”

Renewed Calls for Accountability

Ochanya’s case resurfaced on social media after activists and citizens revived the hashtag #JusticeForOchanya, demanding full prosecution of all those allegedly involved in the abuse that led to her death.

In the original trial, Ochanya’s guardian, Andrew Ogbuja, a lecturer at the Benue State Polytechnic, was convicted of negligence, while his son Victor Ogbuja, accused of sexual assault, was reportedly acquitted in 2022. The ruling sparked outrage across the country, with many describing it as an incomplete justice.

With the new developments, civil society groups and legal advocates are urging authorities to reopen the investigation fully, citing inconsistencies in the earlier proceedings and the need to hold every responsible party accountable.

According to sources familiar with the case, fresh evidence and witness testimonies may be presented to the court as part of the ongoing review. The Federal Ministry of Justice has also been urged to ensure transparency and protect the rights of minors in similar cases going forward.

The late Ochanya was said to have endured years of abuse while living under the guardianship of the Ogbuja family, which eventually led to complications that claimed her life. Her story became a symbol of advocacy for victims of sexual violence in Nigeria.

For now, Nigerians are closely watching the next steps as the reopened case proceeds through the justice system. Many hope that this renewed push will finally deliver the justice that has been long awaited.