Female Lawyers Arise for Justice…Protest march in Abuja October 25th…
By Adeniyi Afolabi, Lagos
The corpse of 13 year old Ochanya is currently lying in Otukpo General Hospital after allegedly being raped severally by a 51 year old Andrew Ogboja, Head of Department, Catering and Hotel Management at the Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Benue State and his son Victor Inalegwu Ogboja, a final year Student of Animal Production at the Federal Univeristy of Agriculture, Makurdi.
The International Federation For Women Lawyers in Benue State have written a fresh petition to the Commissioner of Police intimating him of the rape case. The death of the victim which has now given rise to change of the offence from Rape to Criminal Conspiracy and Culpable Homicide.
FIDA as at the time of publishing this report were still at the Police Headquarters as arrangements are ongoing to re-arrest the culprits. Members of the National Council for Women Societies also joined them.
The Women Lawyers are on the issue in conjunction with the Office of the First Lady of Benue State. Scrollreport learnt that Aisha Buhari, Wife of the President is waiting for her response before the matter is taken further.
Born out of wedlock by a widowed mother, Ochanya had been living with the lecturer since she was nine years old. Her mother and the lecturer’s wife were cousins. Her biological father had been absent in her life till date. As a result of Family affinity, when her mother died she was forced to live with the lecturer.
Unfortunately, She became an object of sexual satisfaction for the lecturer and his son. February this year, she collapsed and was bedridden for two months. In June, a Caregiver who runs an Orphanage in Otukpo picked interest in her health conditions and took her to Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Markurdi. After several medical examinations it was revealed that she was sexually abused on all sides and this had affected her badly causing uncontrollable defecation and passing of urine.
After serious interrogation, Ochanya revealed how long the molestation had been taking place and how She was threatened not to tell anyone. She confessed that she was forced with drugs which made her unconscious.
The matter was reported at the police headquarters in Markurdi, the lecturer was arrested and charged to court. The court ordered that the man be remanded pending the next adjournment in september, when his son too will be charged.
Curiosuly it was alleged that the man was seen walking freely on the street. On the next adjournment date Ochanya’s Lawyers couldnt make it to court and the case was adjourned to November 4. Unfortunately when the day comes Ochanya will not be there.
