The Nigerian Army has discharged Private Ruth Ogunleye from service following her allegations of sexual harassment against a senior officer, Colonel I.B Abdulkareem.
In January 2024, Ogunleye took to TikTok to accuse Colonel Abdulkareem, alongside Colonel G.S Ogor and Brigadier General I.B Solebo, of making her life unbearable. She specifically alleged that Abdulkareem repeatedly attempted to assault her, forcibly removed her from her residence, administered injections against her will, and confined her to a psychiatric hospital after she rejected his advances.
Following her claims, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, ordered an investigation into the matter.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, revealed that after a thorough review, the investigation concluded that Colonel Abdulkareem did not commit the alleged offences.
“The investigation was carried out in line with the Army’s established protocols, and every effort was made to ensure a fair and impartial process,” Nwachukwu stated.
“The findings were definitive, and the evidence did not support the claims made by Ogunleye.”
Nwachukwu further disclosed that Ogunleye had been recommended for discharge on medical grounds as far back as 2022 due to concerns about her mental health.
Despite this, the Army provided her with extensive medical care before finally discharging her.
“Medical reports indicated that Ogunleye was suffering from a condition that made her medically vulnerable,” Nwachukwu explained.
“Based on this, the Army decided to discharge her on medical grounds rather than pursue disciplinary action for her acts of indiscipline and misconduct.”
In an act of leniency, Ogunleye was granted a 50% monthly pension for life, despite not serving the minimum 10 years required for full pension. She also received her Terminal Leave Allowance, Terminal Packing Allowance, and contributions to the Army Welfare Insurance Scheme and Benevolent Fund.
Nwachukwu noted that all payments were made to her in August 2024, adding that Ogunleye had previously declined further medical treatment offered by the Nigerian Army and the National Hospital.
