By Asuquo Cletus Felix
The Nigerian Army has dismissed a female soldier, Private Ruth Ogunleye from service after she accused a senior officer Col IB Abdulkareem of sexual harassment.
This was disclosed during a press briefing by Onyeama Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, in Abuja.
Ex- Private Ruth in various Tiktok videos seen by our correspondent had accused Col Abdulkareem of administering injections against her will, forcing her to vacate her residence, and confining her in a psychiatric hospital for several months for refusing his sexual advances.
Following her allegations, the chief of Army staff lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja had ordered a full scale Investigation into the matter.
Addressing Journalists, Onyema said that the Army takes every accusation leveled against its personnel seriously and has established procedures to investigate any claim made against its personnel.
He noted that upon receipt of her initial complaint, which included allegations of sexual harassment, the Nigerian Army took immediate action.
“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 army spokesperson,said the investigation concluded that Colonel IB Abdulkareem did not commit the offence of sexual harassment as alleged by Ex-Private Ruth Ogunleye. The findings he described were definitive and based on objective evaluation of the available information.
“The case of Ex-Private Ruth Ogunleye, who claims to be a former subordinate of Colonel IB Abdulkareem at the Nigerian Army Medical Corps Headquarters in Lagos, is no exception to our commitment to due process.
“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 and tasked with conducting 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 objective evaluation of the available information. The Army maintains that Colonel Abdulkareem is a disciplined, regimented, and firm officer who has upheld the values of the Nigerian Army throughout his service.
“Suffice to mention that Ex-Private Ruth Ogunleye had been recommended for discharge on medical grounds since 2022, but the Nigerian Army being sympathetic to its own, thought it wise to give her the best medical treatment possible, stabilize her before discharging her into the wider society.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“Further to this, though Ex-private Ruth did not serve up to pensionable years of service (10 years), she has nonetheless been discharged from the Nigerian Army with 50 percent disability claim, meaning she will receive a 50 percent monthly pension for life.
“ She has also been paid her Terminal Leave Allowance and Terminal Packing Allowance, as well as her contributions to Nigerian Army Welfare Insurance Scheme (NAWIS) and Benevolent Fund (BENFUND).
“ 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 offer of medical treatment either from the National Hospital or the Nigerian Army.”
