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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Fresh controversy has emerged on social media over the case of Ochanya Ogbanje, following a public statement by her relative, Winnifred, known on X (formerly Twitter) as @Winniefunds.
In her statement, Winnifred Ogbuja, daughter of the alleged rapist denied claims that she witnessed or ignored the abuse that led to Ochanya’s death. She explained that in 2013, when the alleged incidents occurred, she was about 12 years old and in a boarding school, away from the location.
“I strongly condemn all forms of sexual abuse and gender-based violence… I remain firm in my truth. I would never witness anything of this nature and remain silent,” she wrote, adding that her position had already been reflected during legal proceedings.
She also urged the public not to rely on assumptions or incomplete narratives, stressing that the case had gone through legal processes.
“I have seen many things being said about me online, some of which are not accurate or do not fully reflect what actually happened at the time. I understand the emotions surrounding this matter, but I also believe it is important that narratives are not built on assumptions or incomplete information.
“For clarity, in 2013, I was a student in boarding school in SS2 and had only just gone on vacation after my mock examinations. At the time, I was about 12 years old and was not present at the location where these events are being alleged to have occurred. This has been established in the course of legal processes.
“I did not witness any act of abuse as has been suggested in some narratives, and this position has also been reflected in the legal proceedings connected to this matter.
“At the time of these events, I was not in a position of authority or control over the situation. Where I had concerns, I did not ignore them, but the way events unfolded afterward was not within my control.”
Her response, however, has sparked renewed debate online, with many questioning her role and whether she did enough during the investigation.
Ochanya Ogbanje, a minor, died in 2018 after suffering years of alleged sexual abuse. The abuse was reportedly carried out by her guardian, Andrew Ogbuja, a former police officer, and his son, Anthony Ogbuja.
The case drew outrage within and out the country and led to their prosecution. It became one of Nigeria’s most notable cases on sexual abuse, exposing failures in protection systems and prompting calls for justice for victims of gender-based violence.
Ochanya’s lawyer, has also reignited the conversation with recent posts on X. He alleged that Winnifred (@Winniefunds) did not fully cooperate with investigators at the time, which he suggested affected the strength of evidence available during the case.
His comments have further fueled reactions online, with users divided over the claim.
Reactions to both Winnifred’s statement and the lawyer’s allegations have been mixed.
Some users criticised her, saying more should have been done:
@TruthLensNG said, “Silence in situations like that is part of the problem. Even if you were young, people expected something.”
@Justice4HerNow added, “Too many people knew something and didn’t say enough. That’s why cases like this drag.”
Others defended her, pointing to her age at the time:
@AdaSpeaks wrote, “She was a child too. Let’s not rewrite that part. Accountability should remain where the court placed it.”
@LegalMindNaija stated, “We cannot hold a 12-year-old to the same standard as adults in a criminal investigation.”
Some users urged that the focus should remain on the victim:
@VoicesForGirls noted, “This isn’t about clearing names online. It’s about Ochanya and ensuring nothing like that ever happens again.”
@HumanRightsNG added, “The danger now is turning this into a social media trial instead of remembering the victim.”
Others encouraged her to take a stronger stand now:
@StandUp4Justice said, “If you truly stand against it now, use your voice consistently for justice and awareness.”
@EndGBVNow wrote, “This is an opportunity to align with survivors and push for systemic change.”
Reactions also followed the lawyer’s claim about non-cooperation:
@CivicWatchNaija questioned, “If there was non-cooperation, why wasn’t it pursued legally at the time?”
@AccountabilityHub said, “These are serious claims. They require evidence, not just tweets years later.”
Others agreed with the lawyer:
@NaijaTruthForum wrote, “Cases collapse or weaken when key witnesses don’t speak. If true, that’s a big issue.”
@JusticeSeekersNG added, “This highlights how difficult it is to secure justice in abuse cases when testimonies are incomplete.”
The renewed conversation shows that the Ochanya Ogbanje case still resonates strongly with Nigerians. While the courts have handled the legal aspects, public discussions around responsibility, silence, and justice continue.