Kaduna, Kaduna State — The Federal High Court in Kaduna has convicted former Nigerian Army private Ruth Ogunleye over defamatory TikTok publications against the Commandant of the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Major General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye.
Justice Rilwanu Aikawa sentenced Ogunleye to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for three years.
The court also imposed a ₦500,000 fine following a plea bargain.
The judgment followed Ogunleye’s guilty plea to two defamation counts filed by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The prosecution had initially filed five charges against her.
However, the prosecution withdrew the remaining three counts following the negotiated agreement.
Ogunleye Allegations Against NDA Commandant
The charges arose from videos Ogunleye published on her TikTok account, @ogunleyeruthsavage.
In the videos, she allegedly made defamatory allegations against Major General Olatoye.
Her publications reportedly linked the Commandant to threats involving alleged intimate videos concerning an NDA staff member.
Ogunleye previously served as an Army private before her medical discharge in 2024.
She had also previously raised sexual harassment allegations involving military officers.
Those allegations generated public attention and controversy.
Her August 2026 TikTok publications subsequently triggered the criminal proceedings.
Court Orders Public Apology and Removal of Videos
As part of the plea bargain, the court imposed additional conditions on Ogunleye.
She must publish a public apology in two national newspapers within 14 days.
The court also ordered her to delete all related videos and publications from her social media accounts.
Additionally, she must refrain from further publications concerning the Commandant.
The restrictions also prohibit direct or indirect contact with Major General Olatoye.
They extend to communication through third parties and other platforms.
Two-Year Sentence Suspended for Three Years
The court imposed one year of imprisonment on each count.
Both sentences will run concurrently, resulting in a two-year custodial sentence.
However, Justice Aikawa suspended the imprisonment for three years.
In the meantime, Ogunleye will therefore not immediately serve the custodial sentence, provided she complies with the court’s conditions.
Any violation of the specified conditions during the suspension period could trigger her imprisonment.
Counsel to the nominal complainant, Mohammed Sani Katu, SAN, confirmed the negotiated resolution.
He explained that the conviction followed Ogunleye’s guilty plea and an agreement between the prosecution and defence.
The court also issued restraining orders against further conduct covered by the proceedings.
The judgment brings a significant development to the controversy surrounding the former soldier’s allegations against senior military officers.
However, the suspended sentence means Ogunleye remains outside prison, subject to strict compliance with the court’s orders.
