The Federal High Court in Kaduna has convicted Ruth Ogunleye over defamatory publications made on TikTok against the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Major General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye.
Justice Rilwanu Aikawa sentenced Ogunleye to one year imprisonment on each of the two counts she pleaded guilty to, with the sentences to run concurrently. However, the prison terms were suspended for three years, while she was ordered to pay a total fine of ₦500,000.
Ogunleye had pleaded guilty to two out of the five charges filed against her by the Inspector-General of Police. The prosecution subsequently agreed to withdraw the remaining three charges as part of a plea bargain.
The charges stemmed from TikTok videos she published in August 2026, in which she made allegations against the senior military officer.
In addition to the sentence and fine, the court directed Ogunleye to publish a public apology in two national newspapers within 14 days. She was also ordered to delete all related videos and posts and refrain from contacting the complainant or publishing further material about him.
Speaking after the judgment, counsel to the complainant, Mohammed Sani Katu, SAN, explained that the prison sentence was suspended to allow Ogunleye an opportunity to demonstrate remorse.
He warned that failure to comply with the terms of the agreement within the three-year period could result in her being returned to prison to serve the sentence.
The plea bargain also stipulates that Ogunleye’s undertaking not to contact the complainant or publish any material about him will remain binding for life.