Nigerian filmmaker Stephanie Linus has made her critically acclaimed film Dry freely available on YouTube as a tribute to 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje and countless other girls who have suffered sexual abuse.
The actress and director announced the decision on Instagram on Tuesday, sharing a clip from the 2014 production alongside a powerful message calling for systemic change and an end to the silence surrounding child abuse.
“In memory of Ochanya and every girl whose voice has been silenced, and in light of the renewed call for #JusticeForOchanya, I’m making Dry available for everyone to watch,” Linus wrote in her post.
She added: “This film stands as a reminder: we must protect our children, strengthen our systems, and end the silence that allows abuse to continue. Dry is inspired by real experiences. It speaks for every child denied protection, every woman silenced, and every community that must now choose to stand up.”
Dry tells the harrowing story of a 13-year-old girl forced into early marriage, subsequently suffering vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) due to complications from child marriage. The film tackles critical issues, including child marriage, sexual violence and women’s rights, themes that painfully mirror Ochanya’s own experience.
The Ochanya Ogbanje Case
Ochanya Ogbanje, a native of Benue State, died in October 2018 from complications allegedly resulting from years of sustained sexual abuse. Authorities accused her aunt’s husband, Andrew Ogbuja, and his son Victor of perpetrating the abuse.
The case produced a controversial outcome in 2022 when a Benue High Court acquitted Andrew Ogbuja of the charges. However, his wife Felicia was convicted of negligence for failing to protect the young girl in her care.
Victor Ogbuja has remained a fugitive since 2018.
Linus’s decision to release the film comes as social media users have reignited calls for justice in Ochanya’s case, with the hashtag #JusticeForOchanya gaining traction across various platforms. The story continues to fuel nationwide advocacy for stronger child protection measures and accountability for perpetrators of abuse.
“Let this not just be a movie, let it be a movement,” Stephanie urged in her statement.
The award-winning film’s free release represents both a memorial to victims and a call to action for communities, institutions and individuals to actively combat child abuse and support survivors.
Dry has received numerous accolades since its release, with recognition for its unflinching portrayal of issues affecting young girls in parts of Nigeria and other developing nations.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.