By Idowu Isamotu ( Daily Trust)
Authorities of the Nigerian Army, on Tuesday announced that it has discharged a female soldier, Private Ruth Ogunleye, who accused a senior officer, Colonel I.B Abdulkareem, of sexual harassment.
Army specifically said the female soldier was eased out of the service on medical ground after the conclusion of its probe, adding that by discharging her, she’s entitled to pension and all other benefits for life.
Daily Trust reports that Ogunleye had in January this year on her TikTok page via @Ogunleyeruthsavage1 accused Col. IB Abdulkareem, Col. G.S Ogor, and Brig. Gen. I.B Solebo, of making her life unbearable.
She particularly said Abdulkareem made repeated attempts to assault her, administered injections against her will, forcibly removed her from her residence, and confined her in a psychiatric hospital for several months for turning down his sexual advances.
Following the allegations, the ministry of Women Affairs waded into the matter and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tarooed Lagbaja, subsequently ordered a thorough investigation.
Giving an update about the matter at Army headquarters, the spokesman of the armed forces, Onyema Nwachukwu, explained that the senior officer did not commit the offence levelled against him by Ogunleye.
Nwachukwu, a Major-General, stressed that the conclusion was arrived at after an exhaustive review of the facts, testimonies and evidence presented during the investigations carried out.
Onyema stated that medical reports after an evaluation at the National Hospital in Abuja showed that Ogunleye was suffering from a condition that made her medically vulnerable.
He said, “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.
“The medical evaluation confirmed that Ruth Ogunleye was suffering from a condition that made her medically vulnerable.”
Nwachukwu also noted 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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