The Federal High Court in Kaduna has convicted Ruth Ogunleye over defamatory TikTok publications against the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye.
Justice Rilwanu Aikawa sentenced her to one year imprisonment on each of two counts, totalling two years, alongside a fine of ₦500,000. But the prison sentences will run concurrently and have been suspended for three years under a plea bargain agreement pursuant to Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
Ogunleye was initially arraigned on five counts filed by the Inspector-General of Police over videos allegedly published on her TikTok account, @ogunleyeruthsavage, on or about August 14, 2026. The videos included captions such as “Maj General Yemi Olatoye is responsible for my death” and “I go post your oga own too, your oga own dey my phone.”
The charges were brought under Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015, as amended in 2024. Following negotiations, she pleaded guilty to Counts One and Two, while the prosecution agreed to withdraw Counts Three, Four and Five.
Under the agreement, she must:
– Pay ₦250,000 for each count, totalling ₦500,000 to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
– Tender a public apology in two national newspapers within 14 days, in a form approved by the nominal complainant’s counsel.
– Delete all related TikTok videos and posts within 48 hours of her release from custody.
– Refrain from making further statements or publications about the NDA Commandant, directly or through another person.
– Avoid contacting him directly or indirectly and never republish or share the disputed materials.
The agreement also requires her to demonstrate remorse and undertake not to repeat the conduct. Any breach of the specified conditions during the three-year suspension period could lead to her being returned to court to serve the suspended prison sentence in full. The restrictions on publishing or contacting the complainant are also binding for life.
The judge confirmed that Ogunleye accepted the plea bargain terms and consented to a restraining order under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, which remains effective until further order of the court. Her defence counsel, I.S. Yahaya, also endorsed the agreement.
Speaking after the judgment, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mohammed Sani Katu, counsel to the nominal complainant, explained that the plea bargain followed an approach by the defendant’s lawyer to resolve the case without a full trial.
He stressed that the prison sentences were suspended, not cancelled, and that any violation of the agreement could activate the full custodial punishment.
Katu further maintained that Ogunleye’s guilty plea and conviction addressed the allegations contained in the two counts to which she admitted guilt.
