Court Convicts Ruth Ogunleye Over Defamatory TikTok Posts Against NDA Commandant

By Haruna Hamza

A Federal High Court in Kaduna has convicted Ruth Ogunleye over social media publications found to be defamatory against the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Major General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye.

The court, presided over by Justice Rilwanu Aikawa, sentenced Ogunleye to a total fine of N500,000 and two years’ imprisonment, with the custodial sentences suspended for three years under a plea bargain arrangement.

The judgment followed an agreement between the prosecution and the defendant in accordance with Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

Ogunleye was originally facing five charges filed by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, over videos allegedly posted on her TikTok account, @ogunleyeruthsavage, around August 14, 2026.

The prosecution accused her of circulating videos containing false allegations about the senior military officer, with the intention of damaging his reputation and exposing him to public ridicule, hostility and hatred.

Among the publications cited in the case was a video bearing the caption, “Maj General Yemi Olatoye is responsible for my death”, which featured the photograph of the NDA commandant.

Another post carried the statement, “I go post your oga own too, your oga own dey my phone”, alongside references to the military officer.

The original charges also included allegations that Ogunleye claimed to have intimate photographs of the commandant and threatened to release materials concerning him.

The case was prosecuted under provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.

However, following discussions between both parties, a plea bargain was reached, under which Ogunleye admitted guilt to the first two counts, while the prosecution agreed to discontinue the remaining three charges.

Under the terms adopted by the court, she was fined N250,000 on each of the two counts, bringing the total penalty to N500,000 payable to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The court also imposed a one-year prison sentence on each count, with both terms running concurrently. However, the sentences were suspended for three years, provided she observes all the conditions attached to the agreement.

As part of the conditions, Ogunleye is required to express remorse, refrain from repeating similar conduct and publish an apology in two national newspapers within 14 days of sentencing. The apology must be approved by the lawyer representing the complainant.

She was also barred from making further comments or circulating materials concerning the NDA commandant through social media, text messages, spoken communication or any other platform, whether directly or through third parties.

The restriction equally prohibits her from contacting the military officer, either personally or through intermediaries.

Additionally, the defendant must remove all existing posts and videos relating to the complainant from her TikTok accounts and other platforms under her control within 48 hours of her release from custody.

The agreement further prohibits her from distributing, reposting or sharing the materials with other individuals.

A breach of the specified conditions during the three-year suspension period could lead to her being returned to court to serve the suspended prison term in full, subject to the court establishing that the agreement had been violated.

The undertaking not to publish further materials about or contact the complainant will remain binding on her beyond the three-year period.

During the proceedings, Justice Aikawa personally sought confirmation from Ogunleye that she understood and accepted the negotiated terms. She also consented to a restraining order under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, which will remain effective until the court directs otherwise.

Her defence lawyer, I.S. Yahaya, subsequently endorsed the plea bargain agreement.

Speaking to journalists after the judgment, Mohammed Sani Katu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who represented the nominal complainant, said the resolution followed an approach by the defendant’s lawyer to negotiate an amicable conclusion to the case.

Katu explained that the matter initially involved five charges instituted by the police following Ogunleye’s arrest, but the parties later agreed to resolve the case through the legally recognised plea bargain process.

He said the defendant admitted the first two counts, prompting the prosecution to withdraw the remaining charges.

According to him, the court subsequently considered the agreement and handed down sentences in line with the terms negotiated by both sides.

Katu explained that the three-year suspension was intended to give Ogunleye an opportunity to demonstrate genuine remorse and comply with the restrictions imposed by the court.

He warned that the suspended prison sentence remained enforceable and could be activated if she violated the conditions during the stipulated period.

The senior lawyer also stressed that the restrictions were designed to prevent further publications or interactions capable of reviving the dispute.

He maintained that the conviction followed Ogunleye’s admission of guilt to the two counts and cautioned that any breach of the court-approved agreement could have serious legal consequences.