The Nigerian Army has discharged Private Ruth Ogunleye, the female soldier who earlier accused senior officers of sexual harassment, citing medical grounds for her release.
The Army stated that Ogunleye will receive a 50% pension for life despite not meeting the minimum service years for full pension benefits.
Ogunleye, in January 2024, posted a TikTok video accusing Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem and two other senior officers of sexual misconduct and ill-treatment.
She alleged that Abdulkareem repeatedly attempted to assault her and even confined her to a psychiatric facility for months after she rejected his advances.
The Army’s spokesman, Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, revealed that an investigation into Ogunleye’s claims was carried out by the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police.
According to Nwachukwu, the investigation found no evidence supporting her allegations of sexual harassment against Colonel Abdulkareem.
He emphasized that the review process was thorough and based on facts and testimonies.
Nwachukwu also addressed concerns about Ogunleye’s mental health, stating that her behavior had raised red flags regarding her emotional stability.
Following medical evaluations conducted at the National Hospital in Abuja, it was determined that she was suffering from a condition that rendered her unfit for military service.
As a result, the Army opted to discharge her on medical grounds, choosing not to pursue disciplinary action for her misconduct and indiscipline.
Advertorial
Despite not serving the required ten years for a pension, the Army decided to provide Ogunleye with a 50% disability claim, allowing her to receive a partial pension.
She was also compensated with a range of financial benefits, including terminal allowances and contributions to the Army’s welfare schemes.
These payments were processed and paid to her in August 2024.
Advertorial
The Army emphasized that while Ogunleye’s allegations were thoroughly investigated, her discharge was ultimately based on her medical condition rather than the claims of harassment.
