Court convicts Ruth Ogunleye over TikTok videos against NDA commandant

The Federal High Court in Kaduna has delivered a conviction against Ruth Ogunleye for making defamatory TikTok videos targeting the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye. Justice Rilwanu Aikawa handed down a one-year prison sentence for each of two counts, with the terms running concurrently but suspended for three years.

Additionally, Ogunleye was ordered to pay a ₦500,000 fine. She had pleaded guilty to two out of the five charges brought by the Inspector-General of Police, and the prosecution opted to drop the remaining accusations through a plea bargain. The allegations arose from TikTok videos posted in August 2026, which contained accusations against the senior military officer.

The court further mandated Ogunleye to publish a public apology in two national newspapers within 14 days, remove the related videos and posts, and cease any further contact or publication about the complainant. Ogunleye's counsel, Mohammed Sani Katu, SAN, stated that the prison sentence suspension provided her the chance to exhibit remorse.

Should she breach any of these conditions within the three-year period, she will be returned to serve the sentence. The non-contact and non-publication agreement with the complainant will remain in effect indefinitely.