Female soldier discharged after accusing superior of sexual harassment
Authorities of the Nigerian Army, on Tuesday announced the discharge of a female soldier, Private Ruth Ogunleye, who accused a senior officer, Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem, of sexual harassment.
The Army clarified that she was released from service on medical grounds following the conclusion of its investigation, adding that her discharge entitles her to a pension and other lifetime benefits.
In January of this year, Ogunleye accused Col. I.B. Abdulkareem, Col. G.S. Ogor, and Brig. Gen. I.B. Solebo of making her life unbearable on her TikTok page (@Ogunleyeruthsavage1).
She specifically claimed that Abdulkareem made repeated attempts to assault her, administered injections against her will, forcibly removed her from her residence, and confined her to a psychiatric hospital for several months after she rejected his sexual advances.
Following these allegations, the Ministry of Women Affairs intervened, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tarik Lagbaja, ordered a thorough investigation.
Providing an update on the matter at Army headquarters, the spokesman for the land forces, Onyema Nwachukwu, explained that the senior officer did not commit the offenses alleged by Ogunleye.
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Nwachukwu, a Major General, emphasized that this conclusion was reached after an exhaustive review of the facts, testimonies, and evidence presented during the investigation.
“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 commitment to 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 offense of sexual harassment as alleged by Ex-Private Ruth Ogunleye. The findings were definitive and based on an objective evaluation of the available information,” the senior military officer stated.
The army spokesman noted that Ogunleye had been recommended for discharge on medical grounds since 2022, but the Nigerian Army, sympathetic to her situation, provided the best medical treatment possible before discharging her into society.
He added, “While the Army was addressing the allegations of sexual harassment, further concerns about Ruth Ogunleye’s conduct came to light. Her behavior, 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 made her medically vulnerable.
He said, “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 made 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 rendered her medically vulnerable.”
Nwachukwu also noted that based on her medical condition, the service has postponed its decision to take disciplinary action against Ogunleye, adding that she was instead discharged from service.
The army spokesman said, “In light of this, the Army, while fully capable of proceeding with disciplinary action for her acts of indiscipline and misconduct, chose 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 suspend 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 military service. She was subsequently boarded and discharged from service.”
Onyema further stated that although Ogunleye was not entitled to a pension, she was discharged with a 50 percent monthly pension for life, along with other benefits.
He added, “Although Ex-Private Ruth did not serve the required ten years to qualify for a full pension, she has nonetheless been discharged from the Nigerian Army with a 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 the Nigerian Army Welfare Insurance Scheme and Benevolent Fund.”
“The payments were made on August 14, 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 for her discharge was reached after she rejected an offer of medical treatment from either the National Hospital or the Nigerian Army.”
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.
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