The Nigerian Army has dismissed Private Ruth Ogunleye from service following her allegations of sexual harassment against a senior officer, Colonel I.B Abdulkareem. Ogunleye had accused Abdulkareem, alongside Colonel G.S Ogor and Brigadier General I.B Solebo, of making her life unbearable. The accusations were made public in January 2024 through her TikTok account, @Ogunleyeruthsavage1.
Ogunleye claimed that Colonel Abdulkareem attempted to assault her on multiple occasions, administered injections against her will, forcefully removed her from her residence, and detained her in a psychiatric hospital for months after she rejected his advances.
Following these serious allegations, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, ordered an extensive investigation. On Tuesday, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, addressed journalists in Abuja, confirming that after a thorough inquiry, Colonel Abdulkareem was exonerated.
“Upon receiving her complaint, the Nigerian Army immediately referred the case to the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police for investigation,” Nwachukwu said. “The investigation followed established protocols to ensure fairness and impartiality. After an exhaustive review of the facts, testimonies, and evidence, it was concluded that Colonel Abdulkareem did not commit the alleged offences.”
He further explained that Ogunleye had been recommended for discharge on medical grounds since 2022, but the Army provided her with the best possible treatment before finally discharging her into civilian life.
“During the investigation, concerns regarding Ogunleye’s mental health and emotional stability surfaced. Her conduct, both online and offline, raised red flags,” Nwachukwu added. “Medical evaluations revealed that she was suffering from a condition that made her medically vulnerable.”
Following these findings, the Army decided not to take disciplinary action against Ogunleye, opting instead to discharge her on medical grounds. Major General Nwachukwu emphasized that while disciplinary measures could have been pursued due to her acts of misconduct, the Army chose compassion, prioritizing her well-being.
“Based on medical evaluations and advice from professionals, the decision was made to discharge her from service. She is no longer in a position to continue her military duties,” he said.
Although Ogunleye did not qualify for a full pension due to her years of service, she was awarded a 50 per cent monthly pension for life, alongside other benefits, including Terminal Leave Allowance and contributions from the Nigerian Army Welfare Insurance Scheme and Benevolent Fund.
“Despite not meeting the service years required for a full pension, she will receive a 50 per cent monthly pension for life, along with other entitlements, which have already been paid into her account,” Nwachukwu stated. He noted that the decision to discharge her came after she declined further medical treatment.
The Army, in its statement, maintained its commitment to transparency and justice, stressing that all actions taken were in line with established procedures and prioritizing the health and safety of its personnel.
