Nigerian Soldier Dismissed Over Unsuccessful Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Commander

Nigerian Soldier Dismissed Over Unsuccessful Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Commander....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Nigerian Army has discharged Private Ruth Ogunleye following her accusations of sexual harassment against a senior officer, Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem. Ogunleye had made the allegations in January 2024 via TikTok, claiming that Colonel Abdulkareem, along with Colonel G.S. Ogor and Brigadier General I.B. Solebo, mistreated her. She alleged that Abdulkareem attempted to assault her multiple times, forced her to take injections, and confined her to a psychiatric hospital when she resisted…….CONTINUE READING

In response, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, ordered a full investigation into the allegations. At a press briefing in Abuja, the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, stated that after a thorough investigation, the Army found no evidence to support Ogunleye’s claims. Nwachukwu emphasized that the investigation was conducted following established protocols and concluded that Colonel Abdulkareem did not commit the offences alleged.

Nwachukwu also revealed that Ogunleye had been recommended for medical discharge as early as 2022 but was provided with medical support until her eventual discharge. He noted that while the Army was addressing the harassment allegations, further concerns about Ogunleye’s mental health arose, leading to a medical evaluation that confirmed her vulnerability.

“Upon receiving her complaint, the Nigerian Army took immediate action, assigning the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police to investigate. The investigation was exhaustive, fair, and impartial, concluding that Colonel Abdulkareem did not commit the alleged offence,” said Nwachukwu. He added that Ogunleye’s deteriorating mental health raised further concerns, leading to her referral for medical evaluation.

The medical findings indicated that Ogunleye was suffering from a condition that rendered her medically unfit for service. The Army, prioritizing her health over disciplinary action, opted for leniency and decided to discharge her on medical grounds. Despite not serving the required ten years for a pension, Ogunleye was granted a 50% disability pension for life, alongside her terminal benefits.

Her payments, including her Terminal Leave Allowance, Terminal Packing Allowance, contributions to the Nigerian Army Welfare Insurance Scheme, and Security Debarment Allowance, were made on August 14, 2024. Ogunleye had also been offered further medical treatment, which she declined, leading to the final decision on her discharge.