Nigerian Army Discharges Female Soldier, Clears Senior Officer of Sexual Harassment Allegations

The Nigerian Army has officially discharged Private Ruth Ogunleye following allegations she made against a senior officer, Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem, accusing him of sexual harassment. Ogunleye’s accusations, first made public in January 2024 through her TikTok page, sparked widespread attention and led to an investigation ordered by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

Ogunleye had alleged that Colonel Abdulkareem, along with two other senior officers, Colonel G.S. Ogor and Brigadier General I.B. Solebo, made her life unbearable in the military. She specifically claimed that Abdulkareem attempted to sexually assault her, administered injections against her will, removed her from her residence, and confined her to a psychiatric hospital after she rejected his advances.

Following her accusations, the Nigerian Army launched an extensive investigation. On Tuesday, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, addressed journalists in Abuja to provide an update on the case.

“Upon receipt of her initial complaint, which included allegations of sexual harassment, the Nigerian Army took immediate action,” Nwachukwu said. “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.”

He explained that the investigation was conducted according to established protocols, ensuring a fair and impartial process. After reviewing all the facts, testimonies, and evidence, the investigation concluded that Colonel Abdulkareem was not guilty of the allegations made by Ogunleye.

“The investigation concluded that Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem did not commit the offence of sexual harassment as alleged by ex-Private Ruth Ogunleye,” Nwachukwu stated. “The findings were definitive and based on an objective evaluation of the available information.”

Aside from the investigation into the sexual harassment claims, further concerns regarding Ogunleye’s mental health came to light. According to Nwachukwu, medical evaluations revealed that Ogunleye was suffering from a condition that rendered her “medically vulnerable.”

“Her behaviour, both online and offline, raised questions about her deteriorating mental health and emotional stability,” he added. Ogunleye had been recommended for discharge on medical grounds as early as 2022, but the Army continued to provide her with medical care before her eventual discharge into civilian life.

The Nigerian Army referred her for further medical evaluation at the National Hospital in Abuja, where professionals confirmed her medical condition. “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,” Nwachukwu explained.

As a result of the medical findings, the Army decided to forgo 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,” Nwachukwu said.

Instead of pursuing further action, the Army prioritized her health and discharged her from service on medical grounds. Despite not serving the minimum 10 years required to qualify for a pension, the Army showed additional leniency by granting her a 50 percent monthly pension for life.

“She will receive a 50 percent disability claim, meaning she will receive a 50 percent monthly pension for life,” Nwachukwu announced. Ogunleye has also received her Terminal Leave Allowance, Terminal Packing Allowance, and contributions from the Nigerian Army Welfare Insurance Scheme and Benevolent Fund. These payments were deposited into her account on August 14, 2024.

Additionally, her Security Debarment Allowance for her five years and 54 days of service has been paid, despite her rejecting further medical treatment from both the National Hospital and the Nigerian Army.

The Nigerian Army’s decision to discharge Ogunleye, combined with their transparent handling of the investigation, highlights their commitment to ensuring fairness while addressing sensitive matters involving their personnel.