Human Angle
Nigerian Army Discharges Female Soldier After Sexual Harassment Allegations
According to the Army, Ogunleye was released from service on medical grounds following an investigation, and will be entitled to pension and benefits for life.
In January, Ogunleye had taken to TikTok, using the handle @Ogunleyeruthsavage1, to accuse Colonel Abdulkareem, along with Colonel GS Ogor and Brigadier General IB Solebo, of making her life unbearable. She alleged that Abdulkareem made multiple attempts to assault her, forcibly administered injections, removed her from her home, and detained her in a psychiatric hospital for months after she rejected his advances.
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The allegations led to the intervention of the Ministry of Women Affairs, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, ordered a full investigation into the matter.
Yesterday, Army spokesperson Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu provided an update, stating that the investigation had cleared Colonel Abdulkareem of the accusations. Nwachukwu said the decision was based on an extensive review of facts, testimonies, and evidence gathered during the probe.
“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,” the senior military officer said.
The army spokesman said Ogunleye had been recommended for discharge on medical grounds since 2022, but that the Nigerian Army, being sympathetic to giving her the best medical treatment possible, stabilised her before discharging her into the wider society.
He added: “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 wellbeing 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”, he said. Nwachukwu also said that based on her medical condition, the service has shelved its decision to take disciplinary actions against Ogunleye, adding that she was instead boarded and discharged from service.
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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, 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 prioritised her health, understanding that she was in no position to continue with military service. She was subsequently boarded and discharged from service”, he said.
“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 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”, he added.
Efforts to speak to officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs were not successful.
A call to the Minister, Uju Kennedy- Ohanenye’s phone rang out.
There was also no response to the text and WhatsApp messages sent to her, which sought to know whether the ministry was aware of the latest development on the female soldier, and whether it was satisfied with the final decision taken by the Nigerian Army.
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