‘Why Nigerian Army Discharged Female Soldier Who Reported Sexual Harassment’

‘Why Nigerian Army Discharged Female Soldier Who Reported Sexual Harassment’

1. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the press. Today, the Nigerian Army deems it necessary to address a series of grave allegations, act of cyberbullying and the continued defamatory behaviour directed at a senior officer, Colonel IB Abdulkareem, and other personnel by Ex-Private Ruth Ogunleye in the social media, especially TikTok. This individual has been relentless in her online campaign against Colonel Abdulkareem, a matter that the Army can no longer overlook.

2. Let me begin by clearly stating that the Nigerian Army is a professional force committed to the highest standards of discipline, integrity and accountability. It is guided by rules and regulations that ensure every officer and soldier operate within the framework of respect for human rights and due process. In line with this, the Army takes every accusation leveled against its personnel seriously and has established procedures to investigate any claim made against its personnel.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Despite this, Ruth Ogunleye has continued to propagate false narratives against Colonel Abdulkareem and other senior officers, using online platforms to engage in cyberbullying and defamation. This sustained campaign has become an egregious misuse of her condition to garner attention, gain traffic on her social media handles, and disparage the reputation of the senior officers and the Nigerian Army in general. It is important to state unequivocally that the Nigerian Army will not tolerate the defamation of its officers and soldiers, particularly when it is based on falsehoods and driven by ulterior motives.

9. While we remain empathetic to Ex- Pte Ruth Ogunleye’s medical condition, we must categorically reject the continued defamation of Colonel Abdulkareem and the denigration of the Nigerian Army. The Army has done everything within its power to address her concerns through the appropriate channels, and investigative findings have cleared Colonel Abdulkareem of any wrongdoing. We caution the public to treat her allegations as baseless and without merit, given her established condition.

10. The Nigerian Army stands firm in its commitment to maintaining discipline and order within its ranks. Colonel IB Abdulkareem is a dedicated officer who has served our nation with honour and distinction. While we remain committed to providing care and support to former personnel like Ex-Pte Ruth Ogunleye, we will not allow our personnel to be maligned or subjected to unwarranted attacks.

11. It must be emphasized that the Nigerian Army, as a professional national institution has exhaustively exercised institutional restraint and decorum over this matter, in order to allow for thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation as well as medical evaluation to unravel the allegations. The Nigerian Army therefore, wishes to state that it operates with high standards of professionalism and takes the welfare of its personnel seriously as well as handle all allegations with the seriousness they deserve.
Thank you for your attention.