Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Nigerian Bar Association, Kano Branch, has accused the Kano State Criminal Investigation Department of intimidating one of its members, Mr Mustapha Abubakar Adam, following his arrest and detention, describing the incident as an attack on the legal profession. The association also vowed to resist what it termed “institutional bullying” by the police and directed its members to attend court in solidarity with the lawyer. In a statement issued on Thursday by the Chairman of the NBA Kano Branch, Sani Ammani, the association alleged that Adam was arrested and detained on Tuesday, June 30, on the orders of the Deputy…

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Friday praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing him as a high-performing public official who drew inspiration from his style of governance. Akpabio made the remarks during the inauguration of access roads leading to the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in Karsana West District, Abuja, one of the projects commissioned to commemorate President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office. Representing President Tinubu at the event, the Senate President said Wike had developed a reputation for delivering infrastructure projects wherever he served, adding that hard work had become part of…

The Federal Government has paid over N39 billion in long-standing pension liabilities to thousands of retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme, in what it described as a major step towards clearing inherited pension debts. The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate announced the development on Friday, saying the payments were made following President Bola Tinubu’s approval to offset outstanding pension obligations. According to PTAD, the beneficiaries include pensioners of the defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Limited and its subsidiary, Mobile Telecommunications Limited, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Assurance Bank, NICON, and the defunct People’s Bank of Nigeria. A breakdown of the disbursement showed…

The Lagos State Government has announced a decline in the state’s HIV positivity rate, revealing that 11,940 people tested positive for the virus in 2025 despite a significant expansion of its testing programme. The government said the encouraging trend suggests improved control of the HIV epidemic, with more residents accessing testing and treatment services across the state. According to the latest HIV/AIDS situation report released on Friday, Lagos conducted 504,800 HIV tests in 2025, identifying 11,940 positive cases, representing a positivity rate of 2.4 per cent. The report also showed that between January and March 2026, the state carried out…

The Nigerian Army has said it has yet to receive any formal complaint, medical report or credible evidence to support allegations that some of its personnel raped students of Osun State University, Osogbo, during an alleged assault on the institution. The military, however, insisted that its ongoing investigation into the incident would be thorough, transparent and impartial, warning that any personnel found culpable would face disciplinary action in line with the Armed Forces Act and other extant laws. The position was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, Major…

The Nigeria Police Force has declared six men from Isiakpu Village in Nise, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State wanted over alleged offences ranging from criminal conspiracy and cyberstalking to criminal defamation, incitement and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace. The declaration was contained in a Special Gazette Police Bulletin issued under the authority of the Inspector-General of Police and referenced as Force Directive CID. According to the bulletin, the suspects are being sought by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Police Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja. The wanted persons were identified as…

The United States has withdrawn most of its military personnel deployed to Nigeria following the completion of a series of joint counter-terrorism operations targeting Islamic State-linked insurgents, according to reports. The withdrawal comes after months of coordinated operations between US forces and the Nigerian military aimed at degrading the operational capacity of the Islamic State West Africa Province and other extremist groups operating in the North-East. Although details of the deployment and the exact number of troops involved were not disclosed, the move signals the conclusion of the latest phase of military cooperation between both countries in the fight against…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has obtained a court order permitting it to detain former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, for 14 days as investigations into allegations of certificate forgery intensify. The anti-graft agency secured the remand warrant shortly after Nnaji’s arrest on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where he was intercepted upon arrival from Enugu aboard a chartered flight. A source within the commission disclosed that the order allows investigators to interrogate the former minister for an initial two weeks, with the possibility of seeking an extension if necessary.…

…Warns Starvation Fueling Bandit Recruitment … WFP Warns Millions Risk Losing Lifesaving Aid Daud Olatunji The United Nations World Food Programme has raised fresh alarm over Nigeria’s worsening food crisis, revealing that more than 17 million people across nine conflict-affected northern states are battling severe hunger, with growing starvation now pushing some desperate residents into joining armed groups in exchange for food or income. The UN agency appealed for $89 million to sustain emergency food and nutrition assistance, as well as critical humanitarian logistics, over the next six months, warning that escalating insecurity, shrinking donor funding and restricted humanitarian access…

A coalition of stakeholders in Ogun West Senatorial District has rejected the governorship aspiration of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, insisting that he is not a “true son of Yewaland” and therefore should not represent the district in the 2027 governorship race. The group, operating under the banner of Ogun West Concerned Stakeholders, made its position known at a press conference held on Thursday in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area, where it also endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant, Ladi Adebutu. Speaking on behalf of the group, Adetunji Akeem Adedeji  said Ogun West’s longstanding quest…