The Nigerian Army has discharged a female soldier Private Ruth Ogunleye from service following her allegations of sexual harassment against a senior officer, Colonel I.B Abdulkareem.
In January, Ogunleye said on TikTok with the handle @Ogunleyeruthsavage1 that Abdulkareem, Col. G.S Ogor, and Brig. Gen. I.B Solebo were responsible for her travails in the Nigerian Army.
She claimed that Abdulkareem made repeated attempts to assault her, administered injections against her will, forcibly removed her from her residence, and confined her in a psychiatric hospital for several months.
Ogunleye added that the officer hindered her career advancement by denying her promotion courses because she allegedly rejected his advances.
Following her complaints, Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja ordered an investigation into the matter.
However, army spokesman Major General Onyema Nwachukwu told journalists in Abuja on Tuesday that after investigation was conducted it was determined that Abdulkareem did not commit the offences alleged by Ogunleye.
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.
“The medical evaluation confirmed that Ruth Ogunleye was suffering from a condition that made her medically vulnerable,” he said.
Onyema added that, based on her medical condition, the army decided not to pursue disciplinary action but opted for discharge on medical grounds.
He 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.
“The decision to discharge her was made after she rejected an offer of medical treatment, either from the National Hospital or the Nigerian Army,” said Onyema.
