The Nigerian Army has discharged a female soldier, Private Ruth Ogunleye, from service after she accused a senior officer, Colonel I.B Abdulkareem, of sexual harassment.
Ogunleye had in January 2024 accused some senior officers including Col. IB Abdulkareem, Col. G.S Ogor, and Brig. Gen. I.B Solebo, of making her life miserable.
In a viral video via her Tiktok handle, the female soldier alleged that Abdulkareem made repeated attempts to assault her.
She claimed that the senior officer administered injections on her against her will, forcibly removed her from her residence and confined her in a psychiatric hospital for several months after she refused to give in to his sexual advances.
The Federal Government through the Office of the Ministry of Women Affairs, subsequently ordered an investigation into the allegations.
Giving an update on the matter on Tuesday in Abuja, the spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu, said that the outcome of the investigation revealed that the senior officer did not commit the offence levelled against him by Ogunleye.
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He said: “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.”
Onyema also disclosed that Ogunleye 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 discharging her into civilian life.
He added that “while the Army was addressing the allegations of sexual harassment, further concerns regarding Ruth Ogunleye’s conduct came to light. Her behaviour, 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 rendered her medically vulnerable.
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