Author: Platform Times Newspaper

.…Challenges NMDPRA’s approval of import permits to marketers, NNPCL The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has instituted a fresh legal action against the Federal Government at the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking to invalidate newly issued petrol import licences granted to petroleum marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. In the suit, the refinery is asking the court to set aside import permits issued or renewed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, arguing that the approvals undermine domestic refining capacity and violate existing regulatory provisions governing fuel importation. The development comes amid renewed controversy over Nigeria’s…

 The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that all 22 registered political parties in the country have submitted their membership registers in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, marking a key milestone in preparations for the 2027 general elections. The Commission said the submission was completed ahead of the final deadline following a series of adjustments to the electoral timetable and consultations with political stakeholders. This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna. According to INEC, the submission followed an earlier extension granted to political…

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday rebuked a plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, and his counsel, Ndubuisi Ukpai, over what it described as a lack of diligence in prosecuting a suit seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election. Justice Peter Lifu, who expressed displeasure at the conduct of the plaintiff and his lawyer, imposed a fine of N1m on Jideobi in favour of the former president. The judge described the attitude of the plaintiff and his counsel—particularly their repeated absence in court and failure to take necessary steps to advance the case—as “unacceptable,” noting…

Gunmen have killed a school administrator and abducted several pupils, students and staff during coordinated attacks on two schools in Oyo State. The incidents, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, threw communities in Oriire Local Government Area into panic, with residents fleeing over fears of further ആക്രമations. The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the attacks, saying an assistant headmaster identified simply as Adesiyan was shot dead, while a commercial motorcyclist was also killed after allegedly resisting the assailants. According to the police spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, the attackers, who operated on motorcycles, struck simultaneously at Baptist Nursery and Primary…

No fewer than 100 students and teachers were hospitalised on Friday following exposure to a suspected chemical odour in parts of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the incident affected multiple schools, including Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende, and Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, among others. Sources said the victims suddenly developed symptoms such as stomach aches, weakness and breathing difficulties after inhaling the substance, prompting an emergency response. The affected students were rushed to the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, as well as nearby private medical facilities for urgent treatment. Confirming the development, the Ogun State Commissioner…

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress is facing renewed internal tension over allegations of political imposition and controversial consensus arrangements, with stakeholders warning that the development could destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Party leaders and grassroots actors across the state have expressed growing concern over what they describe as a pattern of endorsements allegedly tilted in favour of loyalists of Governor Dapo Abiodun, a situation they say is weakening internal consultation and heightening factional distrust within the ruling party. According to multiple party sources, the unfolding political realignments are already straining relationships among…

A heated property dispute in the Lekki Peninsula Scheme II area of Lagos State has taken a troubling turn, with allegations of disobedience to a court order, police-backed encroachment, and intimidation of lawful occupants raising fresh concerns over the rule of law. The controversy surrounds a parcel of land at Block 69H, Lekki Peninsula Scheme II, currently at the centre of Suit No. LD/5991LM/2026 before the Lagos State High Court, presided over by Justice B.O. Kalaro. The suit involves Advance Lincon Limited and the Lagos State Government alongside other parties, with ownership and possession of the disputed property still under…

The Ogun State Government has called on students to cultivate a strong reading culture as a pathway to academic excellence, critical thinking and future leadership. The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, made the call during an event organised by the Ogun State Library Board in collaboration with the state chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors to mark the 2026 World Book Day, themed, ‘Go All In: If You Are Into It, Read It’. Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Oluwatosin Oloko, Arigbabu said consistent and extensive reading remained a key driver of…

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced a woman, Halima Haliru Umar, to 20 years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of 302 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and attempting to support acts of terrorism. Justice Hauwa Yilwa, who delivered the judgment on Friday, held that the convict was guilty based on her admission to two counts in a four-count charge filed by the Department of State Services. Umar had, upon her arraignment on March 11, 2026, pleaded guilty to counts three and four of the charge bordering on illegal possession of ammunition and rendering support for terrorism. The DSS had…

The British Government has declared that it has no preferred candidate in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, reaffirming its commitment to neutrality and support for a credible democratic process. The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, made this known during a courtesy visit to Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at the Government House in Ilorin. Lever stressed that the United Kingdom would not interfere in Nigeria’s electoral process, noting that its primary interest lies in ensuring that the elections are peaceful, inclusive, and credible. “The British government is entirely neutral. We do…