The Nigerian Army has officially discharged Private Ruth Ogunleye after she publicly accused Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem of sexual harassment.
The allegations surfaced in January 2024, when Ogunleye shared her experiences on her TikTok account, @Ogunleyeruthsavage1.
In her posts, she claimed that Colonel Abdulkareem, along with Colonel G.S. Ogor and Brigadier General I.B. Solebo, had made her military life intolerable.
Ogunleye’s accusations included serious allegations against Abdulkareem, such as attempts to sexually assault her, administering injections without her consent, forcibly evicting her from her living quarters, and confining her to a psychiatric hospital for several months after she rejected his advances.
In response to her allegations, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, ordered a comprehensive investigation.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, addressed the media in Abuja, explaining that after thoroughly reviewing the evidence and testimonies, it was concluded that Colonel Abdulkareem had not committed the offenses Ogunleye alleged.
“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,” Onyema stated.
He emphasized that the investigation followed established protocols, ensuring 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,” he added.
Onyema further disclosed that Ogunleye had been recommended for discharge on medical grounds as early as 2022, and the Army had provided her with appropriate medical treatment before her eventual discharge.
However, during the investigation, further concerns about her conduct arose. Her behaviour, both online and offline, led to questions regarding her mental health and emotional stability.
Medical assessments conducted at the National Hospital in Abuja indicated that Ogunleye was suffering from a condition that rendered her medically vulnerable.
“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,” Onyema explained.
He continued, “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.”
In light of her medical condition, the Army decided against pursuing disciplinary action against Ogunleye.
“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,” Onyema stated. “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.”
Although Ogunleye was not entitled to a pension due to not completing the required ten years of service, she was granted a 50 percent monthly pension for life as part of her discharge benefits.
Onyema explained, “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 percent disability claim, meaning she will receive a 50 percent 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 processed on August 14, 2024, and credited to her FCMB account. Additionally, her Security Debarment Allowance for the duration of her service, which lasted five years and 54 days, was also settled.
Notably, the decision to discharge Ogunleye followed her rejection of an offer for further medical treatment, whether from the National Hospital or the Nigerian Army.
