Justice Served… But Is Justice Truly Served?

While justice may have been given to the aunty for negligence, and she may have served her five-month sentence, the alleged perpetrators, the uncle and his son, still roam freely. And that is the true justice the world continues to demand. Because rape does not happen because of negligence from the victim or her protector; rape happens because a rapist exists. In 2018, the name Ochanya Ogbanje shook the conscience of a nation. At just 13 years old, she lost her life after years of sexual abuse allegedly at the hands of her guardian’s husband and son — men who were meant to protect her. Her death was more than a tragedy; it was a mirror reflecting the deep cracks in Nigeria’s justice system and the moral decay within our society. When the story broke, Nigerians united in outrage. The hashtag #JusticeForOchanya became a symbol of resistance, a cry for accountability, and a voice for countless victims who had been silenced by fear, shame, or neglect. The world watched and waited for justice to prevail, but years later, one haunting question still echoes, was justice truly served? In 2022, the Benue State High Court acquitted Andrew Ogbuja, the university lecturer accused of repeatedly assaulting Ochanya, claiming that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. His wife, Felicia Ochiga-Ogbuja, was convicted, not for the abuse itself, but for negligence, for failing to protect a child under her care. She was sentenced to five months in prison. Meanwhile, the second accused, Victor Ogbuja, fled and has yet to face trial. For many Nigerians, that verdict felt like a second death for Ochanya. The system that was supposed to defend her innocence seemed instead to defend her abusers. Beyond the courtroom, this case exposes the deeper wounds of a nation where justice is often delayed, diluted, or denied. We live in a society where victims are shamed, cases are silenced, and culture too often excuses crime under the guise of tradition. Each time a case like this fades away without accountability, it sends a chilling message, that the lives of the vulnerable don’t matter enough to protect. And yet, the hypocrisy continues. A government that speaks against abuse still turns a blind eye to child marriage. Laws meant to protect minors coexist with systems that enable their exploitation. Until we confront this contradiction, we are simply pretending to fight for justice while standing still in the same darkness. True justice for Ochanya is not just about punishment; it is about change. It is about building a nation where every child can grow without fear, where both boys and girls are taught the meaning of consent and respect, and where no one is too powerful to be held accountable. False accusations, too, must never be taken lightly, because they water down the pain of real victims and make truth harder to find. But above all, we must never forget that silence is the friend of evil. Justice for Ochanya is more than a verdict, it is a call for awakening. It is a reminder that every child lost to abuse is a wound to humanity itself. Until every Ochanya receives the justice she deserves, until every predator faces the law, until every system that failed is reformed, we cannot claim that justice has been truly served. Justice served… but is justice truly served? Not yet. And not until silence no longer protects the guilty.