Nigerian Army discharges female soldier, exonerate senior officer in sexual abuse allegations

The Nigerian Army has discharged Private Ruth Ogunleye from service after she accused senior officer Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem of sexual harassment.

The allegations, which surfaced in January 2024 on her TikTok page, named Abdulkareem, alongside Colonel G.S. Ogor and Brigadier General I.B. Solebo, as figures who had made her life difficult.

Ogunleye specifically accused Abdulkareem of repeated attempts to assault her, forcibly removing her from her residence, administering injections against her will, and confining her to a psychiatric hospital for rejecting his advances.

In response to these serious accusations, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, ordered an investigation.

On Tuesday, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, addressed journalists in Abuja, stating that a thorough review of evidence, testimonies, and facts had cleared Abdulkareem of any wrongdoing.

Consequently, the army decided to discharge Ogunleye from service.

He said, “Upon receipt of her initial complaint, which included allegations of sexual harassment, the Nigerian Army took immediate action. The matter was referred to the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, who were tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into the veracity of her claims. The investigation was conducted in accordance with established protocols, with every effort made to ensure a fair and impartial process.

“It is crucial to assert that the Nigerian Army, in its bid to ensure justice and transparency, conducted an exhaustive review of the facts, testimonies, and evidence presented.

“The investigation concluded that Colonel I.B Abdulkareem did not commit the offence of sexual harassment as alleged by ex-Private Ruth Ogunleye. The findings were definitive and based on an objective evaluation of the available information.”

Onyema also revealed that Ogunleye had been recommended for discharge on medical grounds since 2022, but the Nigerian Army, showing sympathy, provided her with the best possible medical treatment before discharging her into civilian life.

He added, “While the Army was addressing the allegations of sexual harassment, further concerns regarding Ruth Ogunleye’s conduct came to light. Her behaviour, both online and offline, raised questions about her deteriorating mental health and emotional stability.”

Onyema stated that medical reports following an evaluation at the National Hospital in Abuja indicated that Ogunleye was suffering from a condition that rendered her medically vulnerable.

He said, “Consequently, the Nigerian Army referred ex-Private Ruth Ogunleye for medical evaluation at the National Hospital in Abuja, following earlier assessments by the Nigerian Army Medical Corps that suggested potential mental health concerns.

“This decision was made to safeguard her well-being and ensure that any actions taken by the Nigerian Army were informed by a comprehensive understanding of her condition, as advised by trained professionals.

“The medical evaluation confirmed that Ruth Ogunleye was suffering from a condition that made her medically vulnerable.”

Onyema said that, based on her medical condition, the Army had decided not to pursue disciplinary action against Ogunleye.

Instead, she was discharged from service on medical grounds.

He added, “In light of this, the Army, though fully capable of proceeding with disciplinary action for her acts of indiscipline and misconduct, opted to exercise compassion and leniency. Based on the medical report from the National Hospital and advice from the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, the decision was made to shelve any disciplinary procedures that could have been taken against her.

“Instead, the Army prioritised her health, understanding that she was in no position to continue with military service. She was subsequently boarded and discharged from service.”

Onyema further stated that although Ogunleye was not entitled to a pension, she was discharged with a 50 per cent monthly pension for life, among other benefits.

He said, “Despite ex-Private Ruth not serving the requisite number of years to qualify for a pension (10 years), she has nonetheless been discharged from the Nigerian Army with a 50 per cent disability claim, meaning she will receive a 50 per cent monthly pension for life. She has also been paid her Terminal Leave Allowance and Terminal Packing Allowance, as well as her contributions to the Nigerian Army Welfare Insurance Scheme and Benevolent Fund.

“These payments were made on 14 August 2024 into her FCMB account. Her Security Debarment Allowance for the period she served (5 years and 54 days) has also been paid. The decision to discharge her was made after she rejected an offer of medical treatment, either from the National Hospital or the Nigerian Army.”