The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa has said that a review of the matter pertaining to the dismissed female soldier, Ruth Ogunleye, is possible.
Musa, while disclosing this on Thursday, as a guest on Arise News daily program, The Morning Show, said however, it was highly unlikely that a review or reassessment of the matter will come out differently.
The Defence Chief on the program, also revealed that Ogunleye had made allegations against the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja and himself while seeking redress for alleged sexual harassment perpetrated by her superior.
Ogunleye had in January 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 and confining her in a psychiatric hospital for several months because she turned down Abdulkareem’s sexual advances.
The army spokesman, Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, at a press briefing last week, explained that the Service, upon receipt of Ogunleye’s initial complaint, which included allegations of sexual harassment, took immediate action. The matter was referred to the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police which was tasked with conducting thorough investigation into the veracity of her claims. The investigation was conducted in line with established protocols, “with every effort made to ensure a fair and impartial process”.
Nwachukwu had said that following the findings of the investigation which were definitive and based on objective evaluation of the available information, it was concluded that Col. Abdulkareem “did not commit the offence of sexual harassment” as alleged by the complainant. The Army specifically said the female soldier was eased out of the service on medical grounds after the conclusion of its probe.
Speaking further on the program CDS Musa said, “me tal issues, especially in the military is something we view very very seriously because if somebody is mentally unstable, he has ability to carry a weapon, he can take down everybody that is there when issues come up”.
He added that, “for every aspect of the military, we have our procedures and those were the procedures that were followed. It is possible to have a review, I’m sure it will not come out differently, that I guarantee you”, Gen. Musa stated.
