Benue Govt closes case against Benpoly lecture, Andrew Ogbuja over death of Ochanya Ogbanje

The Benue State Government has closed its prosecution of a suspended senior lecturer at the Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo, Andrew Ogbuja, who was alleged to have raped to death a 13-year-old girl, Ochanya Ogbanje.

Ogbuja’s son, Victor, who is now at large, is a second suspect in the case but the police are yet to arrest him or even declare him wanted.

The government had on October 10, 2019, arraigned Mr Ogbuja, a 57-year-old, before a Makurdi High Court on a four-count charge bordering on rape and murder of Miss Ogbanje.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution in the State, Peter Ukande, led the eighth witness, a photojournalist in his evidence in chief.

Thereafter, the trial judge, Justice Augustine Ityonyiman adjourned the case till October 8, 2021, for the defendant to commence his defence.

Ochanya died on October 17, 2018 from alleged complications said to have resulted from her prolonged rape by the father and his fugitive son.