Sexual Harassment Allegations: Army Announces Findings, Defends Decision To Discharge Ruth Ogunleye From Military

The Nigerian Army has announced its decision on its investigation into the sexual harassment allegations raised against Colonel I.B Abdulkareem by a female soldier, Private Ruth Ogunleye.

Recall that Ruth Ogunleye had in January this year taken to TikTok to raise serious allegations against her superiors; Col. I.B Abdulkareem, Col. G.S Ogor, and Brig. Gen. I.B Solebo, accusing them of making her life miserable.

Ogunleye, known as @Ogunleyeruthsavage1 on TikTok,  claimed that Abdulkareem had made repeated attempts to assault her, administered injections against her will, forcibly removed her from her residence, and  made her stay  in a psychiatric hospital for several months.

‘In 2022, I was posted to Cantonment Medical Centre, Ojo, where I met Col I.B Abdulkareem who requested sex from me and I refused. Ever since then, this man has been my nightmare in the Army, threatening to dismiss me each time.

He comes to my room to inject me in my apartment. Send some boys to my house. If I’m lying I have all evidence. I have evidence against him and I have witnesses.

He also stigmatized me that I have mental illness. Each time I try to expose him or each time any senior person or any senior officer tries to intervene, he will tell them I have a mental illness.

He [frozen] my account for one year. February last year till date, no salary.

Anytime he feels like he wants to embarrass me, he asks some soldiers to beat me. After beating me up, they will inject me. He will ask one Funke Ayeni, she is a female soldier, and he will ask her to set me up. She will set me up, inject me and they will go and throw me somewhere. At the end of the day, this Brig. Gen. I.B Solebo and some of those senior colonels, they will come to that place, they will be videoing me’  she had alleged.

Ogunleye , who had urged  Nigerians to come to her rescue,  claimed that  her father had tried to intervene and talk to  Col. I.B Abdulkareem to allow her have some peace.

Ruth claimed  that the officer however told her father  to relay a message to her to ‘Obey the last command’ adding that the  ‘last order’ is  for the colonel to ‘sleep with me’.

Team@orientactualmags.com learned that the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, who announced decisions on the investigation carried out in respect of the matter, however noted that after an exhaustive review of the facts, testimonies, and evidence presented, it was discovered that Abdulkareem did not commit the offences alleged by Ogunleye.

‘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’ he said.

 Ogunleye, he added,  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 releasing her to the civilian life.

‘While the Army was addressing the allegations of sexual harassment, further concerns regarding Ruth Ogunleye’s conduct came into the open. Her behaviour, both online and offline, raised questions about her deteriorating mental health and emotional stability’ he said while noting that medical reports following an evaluation at the National Hospital in Abuja showed that Ogunleye is suffering from a condition that has rendered her medically vulnerable.

Onyema said, ‘Consequently, the Nigerian Army referred ex-Private Ruth Ogunleye for medical evaluation at the National Hospital in Abuja, following earlier assessments by the Nigerian Army Medical Corps that suggested potential mental health concerns.

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, as advised by trained professionals.

The medical evaluation confirmed that Ruth Ogunleye was suffering from a condition that made her medically vulnerable’.

He has also announced  the decisions taken on Ruth with respect to her continued membership of the Nigerian Army.

‘In the 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. Based on the medical report from the National Hospital and advice from the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, the decision was made to shelve any disciplinary procedures that could have been taken against her.

Instead, the Army prioritized her health, understanding that she was in no position to continue with military service. She was subsequently boarded and discharged from service.

 Despite ex-Private Ruth not serving the requisite number of years to qualify for a pension (10 years), she has nonetheless been discharged from the Nigerian Army 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.

These payments were made on 14 August 2024 into her FCMB account. Her Security Debarment Allowance for the period she served (5 years and 54 days) has also been paid. The decision to discharge her was made after she rejected an offer of medical treatment, either from the National Hospital or the Nigerian Army’ he submitted-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you