Private Ruth Ogunleye (1).jpg
Former soldier Ruth Ogunleye urges the Nigerian Army to disclose the findings of an investigation into her sexual harassment allegations against Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem. Discharged in June 2024, Ogunleye claims the Army has not been transparent about the inquiry, raising concerns about accountability for such serious accusations.

Private Ruth Ogunleye, a former soldier discharged after alleging sexual harassment by Colonel I.B. Abdulkareem, has called on the Nigerian Army to release the findings of their investigation. In January 2024, Ogunleye publicly accused Abdulkareem and two other senior officers of severe misconduct, claiming Abdulkareem made multiple sexual advances, forcibly administered injections, and confined her to a psychiatric facility for rejecting his advances.

The Army's Director of Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, stated that an inquiry found no evidence to support Ogunleye's claims against Abdulkareem, citing medical evaluations that indicated Ogunleye was suffering from a mental health condition. Following her discharge on June 15, 2024, Ogunleye expressed her gratitude towards the Army while pleading for transparency regarding the investigation's results.

She emphasized the importance of public awareness about her case, urging the Army to share their findings on social media. Additionally, Ogunleye called out Uju Kennedy, the Minister of Women Affairs, who she claimed encouraged her resignation, demanding clarity on her mental health status being linked to her discharge.

Ogunleye’s appeal raises concerns about accountability within the military and the treatment of sexual harassment allegations, highlighting the need for a transparent process to address such serious claims. She hopes that publicizing the investigation outcome will shed light on her situation and encourage further action against harassment in the Army.