Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has declared a Nigerian-born man, Olumide Adebiyi Adediran, wanted over alleged bank fraud and other financial crimes, placing a $10,000 bounty on him. Adediran, 56, is accused of using the stolen identities of American citizens to fraudulently open bank and credit accounts. According to an FBI notice released on Wednesday, he allegedly attempted to withdraw funds from a fraudulent check deposit at a bank in Champaign, Illinois, in August 2001. The bureau said the suspect fled the United States in December 2001, just days before his scheduled trial on charges of bank…

… Turkey “leadership training” sparks accusations of corruption Citizens say councils prioritise luxury over development Daud Olatunji Adamawa State has been thrown into outrage following reports that 21 local government chairmen sponsored their wives on a leadership training trip to Istanbul, Turkey. The delegation, accompanied by senior officials of the state’s Ministry of Local Government, reportedly left Nigeria last week for the programme. Defending the controversial trip, Suleiman Toungo, chairman of Toungo LGA and leader of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, argued that the training was necessary to equip their spouses with leadership skills.…

Nigerians may face another nationwide blackout as electricity workers on Wednesday began an indefinite strike over alleged neglect of staff welfare and unpaid salaries. The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), in a memo signed by its acting General Secretary, Dominic Igwebike, directed members to immediately withdraw their services following what it described as the failure of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to address lingering grievances. According to the union, the industrial action became inevitable after the expiration of an ultimatum issued to the management of TCN. The unresolved issues, NUEE said, include non-implementation of the national minimum wage,…

… Commission Denies Irregularities, Insists on Merit-Based Posting A fresh controversy has erupted at the Ogun State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) following viral social media claims that two newly promoted principals were posted to the same school, while others promoted were left without duty posts, allegedly due to favoritism and financial inducements. The anonymous statement, which has been trending under the title “Ogun TESCOM On My Mind”, accused the commission of mismanagement, poor record keeping, and corruption in the posting of principals and vice principals across public secondary schools in the state. In the viral conversation, an unnamed principal lamented…

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s creative industry as a key driver of national development through stronger international collaboration. Speaking at the opening of the Creative Economy Week 2025 in Lagos on Tuesday, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, said the partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom would accelerate capacity building, skills transfer, and job creation in the country’s creative sector. Musawa noted that while Nigeria is blessed with raw talent and abundant creativity, the industry needs training, global exposure, and institutional support to thrive. She stressed that the…

Operatives of Operation Puff Adder of the Bayelsa State Police Command and officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service in Lagos have rejected a bribe of N4 million offered by George Idumangi, the prime suspect in the murder of Bayelsa estate agent, Richard Ekpebu. Idumangi was arrested on Monday at the Festac Town office of the Immigration Service while attempting to collect his newly processed international passport. His arrest followed intelligence sharing between the Immigration Service, the Lagos State Police Command (Area E), and Operation Puff Adder in Bayelsa. Security sources said  that the suspect, in a desperate bid to evade…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has congratulated the newly installed 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, advising him to ensure that traditional leadership does not conflict with political authority. Obasanjo, in a congratulatory message personally signed and released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Wednesday, stressed that the Olubadan’s position is one of great responsibility that requires humility, wisdom, and tolerance. The statement noted that although Obasanjo is currently in New York for the 80th United Nations General Assembly, he joined millions of Ibadan indigenes and Nigerians to celebrate Ladoja’s ascension to the revered throne. Quoting…

Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), demanding a probe into the alleged mismanagement of N283.3 billion received during the six-month tenure of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd) as Sole Administrator of Rivers State. Adeyanju, through his public interest law firm, said the petition was driven by its commitment to accountability and the fight against corruption in Nigeria. According to the document addressed to ICPC Chairman, the firm alleged that Rivers State received N283.3 billion between March 18 and September 17, 2025, under Ibas’ watch, excluding Internally Generated Revenue…

A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has ordered that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) should take over the cyber stalking case instituted against the Alagbado of Agbado, Oba Adedayo Richard Shyllon. A charge sheet signed by the registrar, R.A Ismail and made available to PLATFORM TIMES read that the  case, filed by the Commissioner of Police with charge number FHC/AB/79C/2025, came up on Tuesday before Justice Abiodun  Adeyemi for plea proceedings. PLATFORM TIMES further reports that the  defendant, Oba Shyllon, 62, was present in court as the matter was called. During the proceedings,…

The Nigeria Police Force has filed a 14-count criminal charge against five retired senior officers, accusing them of falsifying their age records to unlawfully extend their years of service. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, instituted the case before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, with the arraignment fixed for Thursday, September 25, 2025. Those listed in the charge sheet include retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Idowu Owohunwa; retired Commissioners of Police, Benneth Igwe and Ukachi Opara; retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Obo Ukam Obo; and retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Simon Lough. The court…