By Milcah Tanimu
The Nigerian Army has officially discharged Private Ruth Ogunleye. She accused Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem of sexual harassment. Ogunleye made her accusations in January 2024 on her TikTok page. She alleged that Colonel Abdulkareem, Colonel G.S. Ogor, and Brigadier General I.B. Solebo severely mistreated her.
She claimed that Abdulkareem made multiple attempts to assault her. He also forced her to take injections and confined her to a psychiatric hospital when she resisted his advances.
In response, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja ordered a full investigation to uncover the truth.
During a press briefing in Abuja, Director of Army Public Relations Major General Onyema Nwachukwu announced that investigators found no evidence to support Ogunleye’s claims against Abdulkareem.
Nwachukwu emphasized that the inquiry followed established protocols. After reviewing testimonies and evidence, they determined that Colonel Abdulkareem did not commit the alleged offences.
He added that Ogunleye had received a recommendation for discharge on medical grounds since 2022. However, she received medical support until her eventual discharge.
Nwachukwu stated, “Upon receipt of her initial complaint, which included allegations of sexual harassment, the Nigerian Army took immediate action. The matter went to the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police. They conducted a thorough investigation into her claims. The investigation followed established protocols to ensure fairness.
“It is crucial to assert that the Nigerian Army aimed for justice and transparency. They 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.
“While the Army addressed the allegations of sexual harassment, concerns about Ogunleye’s conduct emerged. Her behaviour, both online and offline, raised questions about her mental health and emotional stability.
“Consequently, the Army referred ex-Private Ruth Ogunleye for medical evaluation at the National Hospital in Abuja. This followed earlier assessments by the Nigerian Army Medical Corps that suggested potential mental health concerns.
“This decision aimed to safeguard her well-being. It ensured that the Army’s actions reflected a comprehensive understanding of her condition, as advised by professionals.
“The medical evaluation confirmed that Ruth Ogunleye suffered from a condition that made her medically vulnerable.
“In light of this, the Army could have pursued disciplinary action for her misconduct. Instead, they chose to exercise compassion and leniency. Based on the medical report and advice from the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, they decided to shelve any disciplinary procedures.
“Instead, the Army prioritized her health, understanding she was not fit to continue military service. They subsequently discharged her from service.
“Although ex-Private Ruth did not serve the requisite years to qualify for a pension (10 years), she received a 50 per cent disability claim. This means she will get a 50 per cent monthly pension for life. She also received her Terminal Leave Allowance and Terminal Packing Allowance, along with her contributions to the Nigerian Army Welfare Insurance Scheme and Benevolent Fund.
“The Army made these payments on 14 August 2024 into her FCMB account. They also paid her Security Debarment Allowance for the time she served (5 years and 54 days). The decision to discharge her came after she rejected offers for medical treatment from the National Hospital or the Nigerian Army.”
