The Men Against Rape Foundation (MARF) has raised concerns over the Nigerian Army’s handling of the case involving Private Ruth Ogunleye, a female soldier who accused senior officers of sexual harassment.
MARF is calling for transparency and public disclosure of the investigation that led to Ogunleye’s discharge from the Army, a decision the military attributed to mental health concerns.
Private Ogunleye had earlier accused Colonel I.B Abdulkareem and other officers of making her life unbearable after she allegedly rejected Abdulkareem’s advances.
Despite these allegations, the Army exonerated the accused officer and claimed that Ogunleye’s discharge was due to mental health reasons, a claim that she refutes, insisting that she voluntarily resigned.
In an electronic statement signed by MARF’s Executive Director, Dr. Lemmy Ughegbe and Director of Strategic Development, Dr. Augustine Eigbe, the Foundation called on the Army to publish the full findings of its investigation into Ogunleye’s claims.
Dr. Lemmy Ughegbe
The foundation emphasised the importance of transparency to ensure accountability and restore public confidence in the process.
“It is deeply troubling that the Nigerian Army has not made public the investigative findings that led to the exoneration of Colonel Abdulkareem and the discharge of Private Ogunleye.
“In the interest of justice, we demand that the Army discloses the full report and provides a clear explanation of how it arrived at its decision,” the statement read.
The Foundation also questioned the Army’s justification for discharging Ogunleye on medical grounds, particularly as she has consistently maintained that she resigned of her own volition.
MARF called for an independent review of the investigation, stressing that such oversight is necessary to ensure that Ogunleye’s rights were not violated.
MARF also urged the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy, to clarify her role in Ogunleye’s discharge, as the former soldier mentioned the minister’s involvement in the resignation process.
“The Nigerian Army must ensure that Private Ogunleye’s rights have been fully protected and that due process was followed throughout the investigation,” the statement added.
“We stand with all survivors of sexual harassment and gender-based violence, and we will continue to advocate for justice and accountability.”
MARF concluded by reaffirming its commitment to monitoring the case closely, stating that failure to address these concerns would undermine the principles of fairness and justice in Nigeria’s institutions.
THE FULL STATEMENT IS SET DOWN BELOW:
Press Statement: Men Against Rape Foundation Calls for Transparency and Accountability in the Case of Ruth Ogunleye and the Nigerian Army
The Men Against Rape Foundation (MARF) is deeply disturbed by the emerging details surrounding the case of Private Ruth Ogunleye, who accused senior officers of the Nigerian Army of sexual harassment. Recent reports indicate that the Army has discharged Ogunleye on medical grounds, while exonerating the accused officer, Colonel I.B Abdulkareem. However, significant concerns remain unaddressed, casting doubt on the fairness and transparency of the investigation.
MARF, as a leading advocate for justice and the protection of rights, finds it alarming that there has been no public disclosure of the investigative findings that led to the exoneration of Colonel Abdulkareem. The Army’s justification for discharging Private Ogunleye due to alleged mental health concerns contradicts her claims of voluntarily resigning from service. This discrepancy raises serious questions about whether the female soldier has been oppressed and whether her rights have been fully respected throughout the process.
We are particularly concerned about the following:
1. Lack of Transparency: Despite repeated requests by Private Ogunleye, the Nigerian Army has not made public the full report of the investigation. In the spirit of accountability and fairness, we urge the Army to disclose the findings to allow for independent scrutiny and to restore public confidence in the process.
2. Contradictory Narratives: Private Ogunleye maintains that she voluntarily resigned from service, yet the Army claims her discharge was due to mental health concerns. We demand that the Army provide a detailed and transparent explanation for how it arrived at this conclusion, especially given the conflicting narratives surrounding her exit.
3. Fair Treatment and Due Process: The Nigerian Army must ensure that Private Ogunleye’s rights have been fully protected and that the investigation was conducted impartially, without any undue influence. We call on the Army to adhere to the principles of equity and justice in handling this case and to make public all relevant information, including medical reports, that led to the decision to discharge her.
4. Calls for Independent Oversight: Given the gravity of the allegations and the potential for bias in internal military investigations, we recommend an independent oversight mechanism to review the case and ensure that justice is served. We also call on the relevant civilian authorities, including the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy, to provide further clarity on her role in this matter, as referenced by Private Ogunleye.
MARF stands in solidarity with all survivors of gender-based violence and remains committed to ensuring that no individual, regardless of their status or position, is above the law. We urge the Nigerian Army to act swiftly in addressing these concerns, as failure to do so undermines the principles of justice and fairness upon which our society rests.
Conclusion:
We demand that the Nigerian Army:
1. Publish the full findings of its investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment against Colonel Abdulkareem.
2. Provide a transparent justification for the decision to discharge Private Ogunleye, particularly addressing the discrepancies between her claims and the Army’s narrative.
3. Ensure that Private Ogunleye is not being subjected to retaliation for coming forward with her allegations.
The Men Against Rape Foundation will continue to monitor this case closely and advocate for justice, transparency, and accountability in all matters concerning sexual harassment and abuse within the Nigerian military and other institutions.
Signed:
Lemmy Ughegbe, Ph.D., ANIPR
Executive Director, Men Against Rape Foundation (MARF)
Signed
Augustine Eigbe, Ph.D., ANIPR
Director of Strategic Development
