Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a legal threat to DAAR Communications Plc, owners of African Independent Television (AIT), and Channels Television, accusing them of broadcasting false reports that its operatives had invaded the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, February 17, 2025. In a letter dated February 17, 2025, and signed by Chief Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, on behalf of the DSS, the agency demanded an immediate retraction of the story and a public apology from both television stations. The DSS condemned the reports, claiming they falsely portrayed the agency in a negative light. The letter, titled…

The Edo State House of Assembly has passed a new law that imposes the death penalty for individuals convicted of kidnapping, a move seen as a direct response to the alarming rise in abductions across the state and the nation. The landmark legislation, known as the Edo State Kidnapping Prohibition Law 2025, was approved during a plenary session on Tuesday. The bill was introduced and debated amidst the growing wave of kidnapping incidents, which have put immense pressure on both state and federal authorities to take decisive action. Majority Leader Charity Aiguobarueghian led the motion for the House to enter…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has stated that the political elites in Nigeria will improve their actions when the citizens of the country collectively reject bad behaviour. Jonathan made this remark in Abuja on Tuesday, during the public presentation of two books—‘Readings on Election Security Management’ and ‘Selected Readings in Internal Security Management’—authored by former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase. Jonathan, who served as president from 2010 to 2015, expressed deep concern over the current state of elections in Nigeria. He lamented that the country’s electoral system often experiences misconduct, which he attributed to the acceptance and celebration of wrongdoings…

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has successfully intercepted 13 Nigerian women en route to Baghdad, Iraq, where they were intended to be exploited for sexual and labor purposes. The victims, aged between 19 and 39 years, were allegedly deceived by unregistered labor recruiters linked to a larger trafficking syndicate operating between Nigeria and the Middle East. NAPTIP’s spokesperson, Vincent Adekoye, confirmed the interception, revealing that the women were stopped at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja just before their departure for Iraq. The operation was carried out in collaboration with partner agencies, acting on…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all banks and financial institutions to publish details of dormant accounts, unclaimed balances, and other financial assets on their websites. This directive is outlined in a new circular issued by the apex bank on Monday, titled Guidelines on Management of Dormant Accounts, Unclaimed Balances, and Other Financial Assets in Banks and Financial Institutions in Nigeria. A dormant account is defined as any bank account that has not been active for at least one year. Under the new guidelines, financial institutions are required to display key information about these accounts, including the names…

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced new penalties for individuals and businesses involved in electricity meter bypassing and unauthorized access. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the measures, part of a revised ‘Order on Unauthorised Access, Meter Tampering, and By-pass,’ were posted by the commission on its official X page on Tuesday. NERC said the policy, which aims to curb electricity theft, came into effect on January 22, 2025. According to NERC, the new penalties align with the Electricity Act 2023 and the Customer Protection Regulations (CPR) 2023, which permit Distribution Companies (DisCos) to disconnect unauthorized connections without prior notice…

Prince Olusanjo Olurebi, a leading candidate for the vacant stool of Onisango of Sango in Ado Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, has expressed his commitment to human capital development and philanthropy as part of his agenda if chosen as the traditional ruler of the town. During his presentation to the Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola, at the Oke Ago Owu Palace in Abeokuta, Prince Olurebi emphasized the importance of making a positive impact on the lives of his people. He stated that as a traditional leader, it is essential to bring smiles to the faces of the…

Daud Olatunji Violence erupted across Osun State on Monday, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including the former chairman of Irewole Local Government, Mr. Aderemi Abbas. The bloodshed followed fierce clashes between supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), exacerbated by a contentious Court of Appeal ruling regarding local government elections. The violence, which involved the use of guns, machetes, and other weapons, was most intense in local government areas like Ikire, Iragbiji, and Olaoluwa, as rival groups fought over control of council secretariats. Abbas was reportedly gunned down in Ikire after…

Daud Olatunji The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has issued a clarification regarding the number of military officers and athletes who applied for Canadian visas to attend the ongoing Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada. The DHQ explained that only three military officers, 21 athletes, and one physiotherapist submitted applications for the visa, contrary to circulating reports that claimed over 70 officers and soldiers, including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, had sought the visa. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the clarification became imperative following the growing public concerns after General Musa revealed last Thursday that the Canadian High Commission…

Daud Olatunji The Ogun State Police Command has officially declared popular musician Habeeb Okikiola Olalomi, widely known as “Portable,” wanted following his involvement in a violent attack on government officials. The Ogun State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Omolola Odutola in a press release, confirmed that Portable, along with a gang of thugs, launched a brutal assault on officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development on February 5, 2025. Odutola said the attack occurred during an enforcement exercise at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota, in the Ota area of Ogun State. PLATFORM…