Thousands of people under the umbrella of Concerned Benue Citizens in collaboration with students under the auspices of the National Association of Nigeria Students, on Tuesday, staged a peaceful protest in honour of the 13-year-old minor, the late Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbanje, who was allegedly raped to death by her guardian, a polytechnic lecturer, Andrew Ogbuja, and his son, Victor.
The two groups marched from the second gate of the Benue State University, Makurdi through Wurukum Roundabout to Low-level Roundabout, High-level Roundabout to the Benue State Police Headquarters.
The peaceful procession terminated at the Government House, Makurdi.
The protesters demanded justice for the late Ochanya.
They carried placards with various inscriptions, including: “We say no rape of minor”, “Ogbuja and his son must be prosecuted for their sins”, “There are other Ochanyas out there; government must protect them”, “Andrew Ogbuja is a rapist”, and “Protect girl child in the society.”
Receiving the protesters at the Government House, Makurdi, Governor Samuel Ortom lamented that Ochanya died a painful death, stating that he felt devastated and pained over her death.
The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Terwase Orbunde, said, ‘’I feel pained because I have daughters. What if she was my daughter? The law must take its cause in this matter.
“This kind of dastardly act must be condemned in its entirety. It is time all those abused in this manner in the past came out and speak out so that the world would know their plight so that people can step in to arrest the situation.”
Ortom, however, advised people against stigmatising victims of sexual abuse in the society, noting that if they were stigmatised, most of them would be unwilling to make their cases public.
In his remark, the President, National Association of Nigerian Students, Gideon Obande, called for a review of the justice system in the country to give room for quick dispensation of justice.
Obande further appealed for acceleration of the hearing of the case involving the late Ochanya, stating that they would monitor the case till the end to ensure that Ogbanje got justice even in death.
“I appeal to the Benue Government to immediately relieve Ogbuja of his appointment and should not wait until the case was finally determined.”
Mr James Ogbeche, who spoke for the Concerned Citizens, said, “We are not asking for much from the government but justice for the late Ochanya, whose precious life was cut short just because of evil deed.”
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