The Federal High Court in Kaduna, presided over by Justice Rilwanu Aikawa, on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, convicted former Nigerian Army private Ruth Ogunleye over defamatory TikTok publications concerning the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Major General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye, imposing a two-year custodial sentence suspended for three years and a total fine of ₦500,000.

The judgment followed a plea bargain agreement between Ogunleye and the prosecution, which was instituted by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, under provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

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Ogunleye had initially faced five counts arising from videos published on her TikTok account, @ogunleyeruthsavage, on or about 14 August 2026.

The publications contained allegations against Major General Olatoye, which the prosecution maintained were knowingly false and damaging to the senior military officer’s reputation.

One of the charges concerned a video captioned, “Maj General Yemi Olatoye is responsible for my death”, in which Ogunleye allegedly displayed the Commandant’s photograph.

Another count related to a publication carrying the statement, “I go post your oga own too, your oga own dey my phone”, alongside references to the senior military officer.

The prosecution also included allegations relating to claims about intimate photographs and threats to publish materials concerning the Commandant.

However, following negotiations between the prosecution and defence, the parties reached a plea bargain under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

Ogunleye pleaded guilty to two of the five counts, while the prosecution agreed to withdraw the remaining three.

Justice Aikawa subsequently imposed one year imprisonment on each of the two counts, with the sentences to run concurrently, bringing the total custodial term to two years.

The court also imposed a fine of ₦250,000 on each count, amounting to ₦500,000 payable in favour of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Importantly, the custodial sentences were suspended for three years, meaning Ogunleye will not immediately serve the two-year prison term, provided she complies with the conditions attached to the agreement.

The court-approved conditions include publishing a public apology in two national newspapers within 14 days of sentencing.

The apology must be in a form approved by counsel to the nominal complainant.

She is also required to delete the relevant TikTok videos and publications from accounts under her control within 48 hours of her release from custody.

The agreement further prohibits her from making additional statements or publications concerning Major General Olatoye, whether through social media, text messages, spoken communication or third parties.

It also bars direct or indirect contact with the Commandant.

The restriction against further publications and contact is stated to remain binding for life.

Speaking after the proceedings, Mohammed Sani Katu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and counsel to the nominal complainant, explained that the resolution followed negotiations initiated by the defence.

According to Katu, the defendant’s lawyer approached the prosecution after the initial arraignment to explore an agreement that would bring the proceedings to an end without a full trial.

He said the parties eventually agreed that Ogunleye would plead guilty to two counts, while the remaining three would be withdrawn.

Explaining the significance of the suspended sentence, Katu said: “If within these three years she violates these terms, she will be brought back to serve the sentence.”

He added that the suspension was intended to give Ogunleye an opportunity to demonstrate remorse and comply with the conditions of the agreement.

The lawyer also clarified that the undertaking concerning further publications and contact with the Commandant would remain binding beyond the three-year suspension period.

Any breach of the specified conditions during the suspension period could lead to the court ordering Ogunleye to serve the custodial sentence, subject to the court establishing that a violation has occurred.

The case has attracted attention partly because of Ogunleye’s earlier public dispute with the Nigerian Army.

In January 2024, while serving as a private, she made allegations of sexual harassment, intimidation and mistreatment against senior military officers, including Colonel Ishiaku Abdulkareem.

The Nigerian Army subsequently announced that an investigation had found that Abdulkareem did not commit the alleged sexual harassment offences.

Ogunleye, however, called on the military authorities to make the investigation findings available publicly.

The earlier controversy generated considerable public discussion about military accountability, the handling of complaints by serving personnel and the use of social media to raise allegations against senior officers.

The 2026 proceedings involving Major General Olatoye concern a separate set of publications and criminal charges.

The conviction followed Ogunleye’s guilty plea to two counts under the negotiated agreement and should not be treated as a judicial determination of every allegation associated with her earlier dispute with the military.

The latest judgment also highlights the legal consequences that can follow the publication of allegations about identifiable individuals on social media, particularly where criminal proceedings establish that specific publications constitute offences.

For the NDA Commandant, the conclusion of the case represents a formal legal development in a controversy that began with viral online publications and subsequently moved into the courtroom.

For Ogunleye, the suspended sentence leaves her with a three-year compliance period, alongside financial penalties, an obligation to apologise publicly and restrictions on further communication concerning the complainant.

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The court’s decision therefore brings the immediate proceedings to a close while placing considerable importance on compliance with the conditions of the plea bargain.