Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Toyyibat Qasim Nigeria must invest strategically in artificial intelligence infrastructure, develop local talent and establish clear regulatory frameworks to strengthen its competitiveness in the rapidly evolving global AI industry, social impact strategist, Tolani Olawore, has said. Olawore made the call in a LinkedIn post highlighting the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve service delivery, drive innovation and address persistent challenges across critical sectors of the Nigerian economy. She stressed that Nigeria’s ambition to become a major player in the global AI ecosystem must go beyond adopting emerging technologies to building the infrastructure, human capacity and regulatory systems required…

Daud Olatunji A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of a man, Sanusi Dankaka, at the Kuje Correctional Centre over allegations that he threatened to release nude videos and photographs purportedly involving Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf. Justice Salim Ibrahim made the order on Monday after the Department of State Services arraigned Dankaka on two counts bordering on alleged cybercrime. The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/699/2026, was filed by the DSS on October 22, 2026, over alleged offences said to have been committed in October.…

Daud Olatunji The National Orientation Agency has unveiled plans to intensify grassroots mobilisation across the South-West ahead of the 2027 general elections, targeting voter apathy, misinformation and other factors that could undermine citizens’ participation in the electoral process. The agency said it would strengthen engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders, political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations and community groups to encourage eligible Nigerians to vote and promote peaceful, credible and inclusive elections. The Zonal Director of NOA, South-West, Kehinde Martins Ogunkuade, disclosed this during an interview in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday, while outlining the agency’s strategy following the…

Firdaus Obiremi The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has warned judges across the country against allowing politicians to manipulate the judiciary to gain undue advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections. Kekere-Ekun urged heads of courts to guard against practices capable of undermining the integrity of judicial proceedings, particularly forum shopping, concealment of related cases and attempts to secure conflicting orders from courts of coordinate jurisdiction. The CJN gave the warning on Monday while speaking at the opening of the 2026 roundtable for heads of courts, organised by the National Judicial Institute in Abuja. She said the warning…

Daud Olatunji The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested nine suspects in Nigeria over alleged involvement in cybercrime and scam operations targeting victims across international borders. The operation, which also led to the seizure of 53 electronic devices, uncovered approximately $11m in funds identified as potentially freezable across multiple countries, according to the FBI. The FBI Director, Kash Patel, disclosed the development in a statement published on Monday, October 26, 2026, describing the operation as part of efforts to dismantle international cybercriminal networks accused of defrauding victims of billions of dollars. Patel said the suspects operated from…

Firdaus Obiremi Social media celebrity and actor, Wunmi Star, has called for stricter professional regulations in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, warning that the growing preference for social media influencers over experienced actors could undermine the future of Nollywood. Wunmi Star, who raised the concern in an interview with our correspondent on Saturday, urged film producers to prioritise talent, training, experience and professionalism in casting decisions rather than rely heavily on the online popularity of prospective actors. She warned that the trend, if left unchecked, could damage the credibility of the Nigerian movie industry, discourage foreign investors and weaken opportunities for international…

Daud Olatunji The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested 15 suspects, including 14 Chinese nationals and a Nigerian, over alleged illegal lithium processing operations at four plants in Ogere, Ogun State. The arrests followed an operation by operatives of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 on Friday, October 23, 2026. The commission disclosed this in a statement posted on its verified X handle, saying the operation was carried out following credible intelligence and surveillance. According to the EFCC, its operatives raided the four facilities suspected of being involved in illegal lithium processing and arrested the suspects during the operation.…

Daud Olatunji A man, Bilyaminu Idris, has dragged his former fiancée’s father, Alhassan Dayyabu, before a Shariah Court in Magajin Gari, Kaduna State, over an outstanding ₦70,000 balance from the dowry he paid ahead of a marriage that was later cancelled. Idris told the court on Monday that he had paid ₦220,000 as dowry in preparation for marrying Dayyabu’s daughter, but the proposed marriage did not take place. According to him, Dayyabu subsequently refunded ₦150,000, leaving a balance of ₦70,000, which he allegedly promised to pay later. The complainant said he had waited for five months, during which the defendant…

Toyyibat Qasim Retired Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, a former General Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Division, has been appointed chairman of the Global Security Governing Council of District 9 Branded Residences. The appointment is part of efforts by the hospitality firm to strengthen its security architecture, corporate governance and professional oversight as it develops its business. The chairman of District 9 Branded Residences, Kunle Ilori-Diamond, announced the appointment in a statement he personally signed on Friday. Ilori-Diamond said the decision underscored the company’s commitment to making security a central pillar of its operations, particularly within the hospitality industry,…

Firdaus Obiremi The Social Democratic Party has given the Independent National Electoral Commission 24 hours to restore Danlami Mohammed Musa as its duly nominated candidate for the 2027 Nasarawa State governorship election, demanding the immediate removal of Mohammed Abubakar Adamu’s name from the commission’s final list of candidates. The party, in a petition dated October 21, 2026, accused INEC of unlawfully replacing Musa’s name with Adamu’s, warning that failure to reverse the decision within 24 hours of receiving the complaint would compel it to institute legal action. The petition was addressed to the INEC chairman at the commission’s headquarters in…