Prominent socio-political activist, Aisha Yesufu, has joined the growing demand for justice for 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje, the Benue girl who died in 2018 after suffering complications from years of sexual abuse.
Ochanya reportedly developed Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) following years of rape allegedly committed by her aunt’s husband, Andrew Ogbuja, a lecturer at the Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, and his son, Victor Ogbuja.
The pair were arrested and prosecuted but were later acquitted — a development that sparked outrage at the time. Recently, reports that the suspects were sighted walking freely in Lagos have reignited public anger and renewed calls for justice across social media platforms.
Earlier on Thursday, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) pledged to pursue justice for Ochanya and urged her family to submit a fresh petition to her office.
In a similar show of support, Aisha Yesufu took to her X (formerly Twitter) account to express pain over the case and reaffirm her commitment to seeking justice for the late teenager.
“I am in pain as I write this. Ochanya will forever remind me of my failures as a Nigerian adult. I failed her and many others,” Yesufu wrote. “When the issue broke so many years ago we carried it even though we couldn’t save her. We didn’t protect her and prevent the pain her family has had to live with.”
The activist, who revealed she is currently battling a painful lump on her chest, said she draws hope from young Nigerians who continue to speak up against injustice.
“Do you know what makes me elated in spite of the harrowing story? It is young Nigerians like you who have their voices and agencies and speak on the injustices. Many Nigerians, especially the youth, now own their voices — and even without mine, many issues are heard much louder than I could ever make them,” she added.
Ochanya’s death in 2018 had sparked nationwide outrage and renewed conversations about child sexual abuse, systemic failure, and justice for survivors in Nigeria.