Winifred Ogbuja finally reacts after lawyer claimed she’s refusing to cooperate with investigations into death of her cousin Ochanya Ogbanje

Winifred Ogbuja has spoken out for the first time following claims she failed to testify against her father to secure justice for her cousin who died from complications of sexual abuse. 

Winifred’s father, Andrew Ogbuja, and her brother, Victor Ogbuja, were accused of raping their relative Ochanya Ogbanje, who came to live with the family so she could continue her education since their village had no school. 

While living there, Ochanye, a minor, developed complications from being sexually abused and eventually died in 2018 at the age of 13. Before her death, she claimed her uncle and his son had been abusing her sexually, both through the vagina and anus. She added that her female cousin caught her brother abusing her and reported to their father, who then started abusing her too after that. 

Andrew Ogbuja, a lecturer, was acquitted in 2022 due to lack of evidence, but his wife Felicia Ogbuja, Ochanya’s aunt, was convicted and jailed for negligence in the case. 

On Wednesday, March 25, Inibehe Effiong, lawyer to the family of the late Ochanya, stated that Winifred, the daughter of Andrew Ogbuja, was named as a witness in the accusation against her father and brother but she has refused to cooperate. 
 

This caused X users to slam Winifred. They also dug out a video of Ochanya stating that Winifred knew of the abuse as she caught her brother in the act. 
 

Some screenshot said to be of Winifred making a joke about the abuse were also circulated on X. 
 

Winifred has now responded. According to her, she was just 12 years old at the time and was in SS2 in a boarding school, so did not witness any abuse. 

She wrote: “I have taken time to reflect before speaking on the ongoing conversations linking my name to the Ochanya matter. 

“I strongly condemn all forms of s£xual abuse and gender-based v!olence. No individual, especially a child, should ever be subjected to such harm, and I stand firmly for accountability, truth, and justice in all such cases. 

“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. 

“All relevant information and documentation supporting my position exist within the appropriate legal channels and can be made available where properly required by lawful authorities. 

“I recognise that people are asking questions, and I understand why. However, I respectfully ask that conclusions are not drawn without a full and fair understanding of the facts. 

“This experience has taken a significant toll on my mental and overall well-being, and I have had to seek medical and professional support during this period. 

“I remain firm in my truth. I would never witness anything of this nature and remain silent. I understand deeply the importance of speaking up for what is right. 

“This is a sensitive matter that has already gone through legal processes, and I will not be making statements that could misrepresent that process or reopen wounds for those directly affected. 

“I ask for fairness, restraint, and compassion in how this conversation continues. Thank you.”