Actress Bimbo Ademoye has joined other celebrities in renewing calls for justice for the late 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje, seven years after the teenager’s death from sexual abuse.
The 34-year-old took to her Instagram page on Friday night to share a photo of Ochanya with a message expressing anger that the case was once closed without justice.
“Dearest Ochanya, I’m very certain that you’re in heaven, and while I’m happy that your case has been re-opened, it saddens my heart to even know that it was even closed without you getting justice in the first place. I’m livid knowing that the animals who did this to you are still very much free and living life like nothing happened,” she wrote.
“This is one of those days where I won’t be mad if jingle justice is practiced (I mean 🤷♀️). I made a post seeking for justice in 2018, this is 2025, I’m making another post hoping and praying that you don’t end up a hash tag again in another week or two. I’m praying this time around you actually get justice. I’m hoping Uwaila also gets justice, I’m hoping Yakubu gets justice as well. This is me lending my voice again.
“If I had one wish, I’d ask that the judge who discharged and acquitted your uncle be severely dealt with, because I’m not sure why he ruled such judgment (that’s after your uncle and cousin have been dealt with of course). But hey, welcome to Nigeria. I really do hope justice is served and this isn’t just a trend this time around. Continue to rest in peace. #justiceforochanya,” she added.
Ochanya died in October 2018 after years of sexual abuse allegedly by her uncle, Andrew Ogbuja, a lecturer at the Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, and his son Victor Ogbuja. The abuse reportedly caused her to develop a vesicovaginal fistula before her death.
While Andrew was in 2022 acquitted by a Benue State High Court, his wife Felicia Ogbuja was sentenced to five months in prison for negligence. Victor remains at large.
The case has again sparked public outrage after reports that it has been reopened, with many Nigerians, including activists and celebrities, demanding full justice for the victim.
