ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci has donated N2 million to support legal and advocacy efforts seeking justice for Ochanya Ogbanje, the 13-year-old girl who died in 2018 after years of alleged sexual abuse by her guardians.
The donation was made to a GoFundMe campaign launched by activists and legal advocates working to revive the stalled case and amplify public awareness. Baci said she was moved by Ochanya’s story and the need to protect vulnerable girls from systemic abuse.
“Justice for Ochanya is justice for every girl who has been silenced,” Baci wrote on social media. “We must never forget her name or her pain.”
The gesture has sparked a wave of emotional responses across social media and civil society. Women’s rights groups, legal advocates, and everyday Nigerians praised Baci for using her platform to support a cause that had faded from national headlines.
“She’s done what many celebrities won’t — put her money and voice behind justice,” said Dorothy Njemanze, a prominent gender rights activist. “This donation is more than financial; it’s a moral statement.”
Ochanya’s family also expressed gratitude. “We are overwhelmed by the love and support. Hilda’s kindness has given us renewed hope,” said a relative in a statement shared by the campaign organizers.
The case, which initially drew national outrage, had seen limited progress in recent years. Advocacy groups say the donation will help fund legal appeals, survivor support services, and public education campaigns aimed at preventing similar tragedies.
Some commentators also used the moment to criticize the justice system’s slow response. “It’s heartbreaking that it takes celebrity intervention to revive a case like this,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Nigeria must do better.”
Ochanya reportedly suffered years of abuse that led to severe health complications, including vesicovaginal fistula, before her death. Her alleged abusers — a father and son — were initially charged, but legal delays and procedural setbacks have hindered resolution.
Baci’s donation has reignited national attention on the case and broader calls for reform in Nigeria’s child protection and judicial systems. Advocacy groups continue to demand accountability and systemic change to ensure no child suffers a similar fate.
