Army Discharges Female Soldier, Exonerates Officer for sexual harrassment

 

After Private Ruth Ogunleye accused Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem, a senior officer, of sexual harassment, the Nigerian Army dismissed her from active duty.

In January 2024, Ogunleye made the accusations via her TikTok page, @Ogunleyeruthsavage1, where she alleged that Colonel I.B Abdulkareem, Colonel G.S Ogor, and Brigadier General I.B Solebo had made her life unbearable.

She specifically claimed that Abdulkareem had repeatedly attempted to assault her, forced her to accept injections against her will, taken her from her home against her will, and locked her up in a mental health facility for several months after she turned down his advances for sex.

Following these allegations, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, stated that after an exhaustive review of the facts, testimonies, and evidence presented, 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 Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police was tasked with looking into the validity of her claims in depth after the matter was referred to them. 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, but the Nigerian Army, showing sympathy, provided her with the best possible medical treatment before discharging her into civilian life.

He added, “While the Army was addressing the allegations of sexual harassment, further concerns regarding Ruth Ogunleye’s conduct came to light. Her behaviour, both online and offline, raised questions about her deteriorating mental health and emotional stability.”

Onyema stated that medical reports following an evaluation at the National Hospital in Abuja indicated that Ogunleye was suffering from a condition that rendered her medically vulnerable.

"As a result of previous assessments by the Nigerian Army Medical Corps that indicated possible mental health concerns, the Nigerian Army referred ex-Private Ruth Ogunleye for medical evaluation at the National Hospital in Abuja," he stated.

"The Nigerian Army took this decision in order to protect her welfare and make sure that any action they took was based on a thorough assessment of her condition, as recommended by qualified experts.

"The medical assessment determined that Ruth Ogunleye had a medically vulnerable condition."

According to Onyema, the Army had chosen not to discipline Ogunleye because of her medical condition.

Rather, she received a medical discharge from the military.

"In light of this, the Army chose to exercise compassion and leniency, even though it was fully capable of proceeding with disciplinary action for her acts of indiscipline and misconduct," he continued. It was decided to put off any potential disciplinary actions against her in light of the medical report from the National Hospital and the guidance provided by the Nigerian Army Medical Corps.

Rather, the Army gave her health top priority, realizing that she was unable to continue serving in the military. After that, she boarded and was released from the military.

Onyema went on to say that even though Ogunleye was not eligible for a pension, she was released with other benefits, including a lifetime 50% monthly pension.

"Ex-Private Ruth has been discharged from the Nigerian Army with a 50% disability claim, meaning she will receive a 50% monthly pension for life," he stated, "despite not serving the required number of years to qualify for a pension (10 years). Along with receiving payment for her contributions to the Nigerian Army Welfare Insurance Scheme and Benevolent Fund, she has also received her Terminal Leave Allowance and Terminal Packing Allowance.

"On August 14, 2024, these funds were deposited into her FCMB account. Additionally, she has received payment for her Security Debarment Allowance for the five years and 54 days that she served. She turned down a medical treatment offer from the Nigerian Army or the National Hospital, which led to her discharge.