The Nigerian Army on Monday announced the dismissal of a female soldier, Private Ruth Ogunleye, who accused a senior officer, Colonel I.B Abdulkareem, of sexual harassment.
The Army’s Director of Information, Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed this while briefing the press in Abuja.
Nwachukwu updated Nigerians on the matter that came to the limelight in January, where the former female soldier had accused Col. IB Abdulkareem, Col. G.S Ogor, and Brig. Gen. I.B Solebo, of making her life unbearable.
Ogunleye had taken to her TikTok handle to indict the officers, particularly, Abdulkareem, who she accused of repeated attempts to sexually assault her.
The ex-personnel said Abdulkareem had also administered injections against her will, forced her to vacate her residence, and confined her in a psychiatric hospital for several months for refusing his sexual advances.
Addressing the issue, the Army through its spokesperson exonerated the officers from the allegations.
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, tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into the veracity of her claims.
“The investigation was conducted in line 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 IB 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.
“Hence, while the Army was addressing the allegations of sexual harassment, further concerns about Ruth Ogunleye’s conduct came to light.
“Her behaviour, both online and offline, raised questions about her worsening mental health and emotional stability.
“Consequently, the Nigerian Army referred Ex-Pte Ruth Ogunleye for medical evaluation at the National Hospital in Abuja, following earlier assessments made by the Nigerian Army Medical Corps that suggested potential mental health concerns.
“This decision was taken to safeguard her well-being and to ensure that any action taken by the Nigerian Army was informed by a comprehensive understanding of her condition as advised by trained professionals.
“The medical evaluation confirmed that Ruth Ogunleye was suffering from a condition that made her medically vulnerable.
“In light of this, the Army, while fully capable of proceeding with disciplinary action for her acts of indiscipline and misconduct, opted to exercise compassion and leniency.”
The senior military personnel noted that based on the medical report from the National Hospital and the advice of the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, the decision was made to shelve any disciplinary procedures that could have been brought against her.
Nwachukwu noted that the Army prioritised her health, understanding that she was in no position to continue with military service, which subsequently led to her discharge from service.
Onyema further said Ogunleye, though an Ex-private who did not serve up to pensionable years of service (10 years), was discharged with a 50 per cent disability claim, meaning she will receive a 50 per cent monthly pension for life.
“She has also been paid her Terminal Leave Allowance and Terminal Packing Allowance, as well as her contributions to the Nigerian Army Welfare Insurance Scheme and Benevolent Fund.
“The payments were made on 14 August 2024 into her FCMB account. Her Security Debarment Allowance for the period she served (5 years 54 days) has also been paid.
“The decision for her discharge was reached following her rejection of an offer of medical treatment either from the National Hospital or the Nigerian Army.”