Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’adu Abubakar III, alongside the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, have made a fervent appeal to the #EndBadGovernance protesters to cease their demonstrations and engage in dialogue. The protests, which have seen thousands of angry youths occupying major cities such as Lagos and Abuja, began as a response to the government’s economic policies.  The nationwide movement, now in its second day, has unfortunately turned violent in several states, resulting in the loss of lives and the destruction…

Hamza Waziri, CEO of the Initiative for Liberalisation of Physically Challenged People in Nigeria, has allegedly that he was assaulted by police officers during a peaceful protest in Bauchi on Thursday.  Waziri said he was exercising his constitutional right to protest, recounted the harrowing experience and called for accountability. Waziri described the incident as a blatant violation of his rights, saying, “Imagine a world where exercising your constitutional right to peaceful protest is met with violence and brutality. “ This is the unfortunate reality that I personally faced today in broad daylight when I staged a peaceful protest in front…

The Nigerian Army has  denied that soldiers looted Barakat Stores during the recent #EndbadGovernance protest in Kano.  Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, while responding  to allegations circulating on social media clarified the situation, stating that soldiers intervened to recover items stolen by hoodlums exploiting the chaos. Contrary to the misleading video, Major General Nwachukwu  stated  that soldiers from the 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army acted upon a distress call reporting an attack on Barakat Stores.  Their timely arrival thwarted the looters’ plans, preventing extensive theft.  “The soldiers intercepted some of the hoodlums and recovered…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced its intention to prosecute senior lawyers representing the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, over their failure to produce him in court.  EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the agency’s stance, stating, “The matter is in court and there are various orders of the court. Senior lawyers who failed to bring him (Bello) to court are already slated for discipline.” Yahaya Bello remains at large 107 days after being declared wanted by the EFCC.  On April 18, 2024, the EFCC declared Bello wanted in connection with an alleged money laundering…

A 40-year-old unemployed man, Cletus Gandu, has stirred emotions and highlighted the depth of Nigeria’s economic crisis by his testimony in court.  Gandu, charged with criminal trespass and theft by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), admitted to stealing two tubers of yam due to hunger. “Hunger pushed me to steal yam on two occasions. I beg for leniency,” Gandu pleaded at the Magistrate’s Court in Kafanchan.  Magistrate Michael Bawa, after Gandu’s guilty plea, deferred sentencing to August 6 and ordered his remand in custody. The NSCDC Prosecutor, Marcus Audu, relayed to the court that Alice Daniel, the…

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has warned that the military would step in to assist the police and other security agencies if the violent protests in some parts of the country goes out of control. Musa gave the warning while briefing newsmen on the activities of the protesters reporting to Valence in some parts of the country on day one of the protests. He said that the military had been on standby providing support to the police and other security agencies since the beginning of the protest, adding that they would not stand by and watch…

Some perishable food prices have crashed by about 50 per cent amid the ongoing nationwide hunger protest, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The protest with hashtag #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria is planned to end on 10 August. It is aimed at calling the Federal Government’s attention to the economic hardship facing Nigerians. Some traders and buyers at Ile-epo food market at the Alimosho/Agege area of  Lagos State confirmed the development in separate interviews with NAN on Friday in Lagos. NAN reports that local food markets across the area witnessed less activities than usual due to the ongoing nationwide…

A team of pro bono lawyers has successfully secured the release of 12 protesters detained by the Lagos State Police Command. PLATFORM TIMES reports that these protesters were arrested at the Lekki Toll Gate and other parts of Lagos while exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest. The legal team, operating under the auspices of Lawyers for the Rule of Law and Human Rights, has been providing free legal services to participants in the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria movement.  Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, a prominent member of this team, announced the release on Friday evening through his official X (formerly Twitter) account.…

The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has disconnected the power supply to the Kaduna Government House due to outstanding debts amounting to N2.9 billion.  This action underscores the escalating financial crisis within the state and the broader implications for governance and public services. Abdulazeez Abdullahi, Head of Corporate Communication at KEDCO, disclosed that the government house had not settled its electricity bills for seven months, leading to the disconnection.  He emphasized that the disconnection was not a hasty decision but followed extensive consultations and reconciliations with state officials. “The outstanding balance for electricity consumed from January 2024 to July 2024…

The De Renaissance Patriots Foundation has announced the passing of its President, Prince Hakeem Adelani Adeniji-Adele, in the early hours of Friday, August 2, 2024. He was 66 years old. The announcement, made by the Foundation’s Secretary General, Mr. Yomi Tokosi, conveyed the profound sorrow felt by the group.  “With heavy hearts, I announce the tragic loss of our President, Prince Adelani Gbogboade Adeniji-Adele. “ We lost him early this morning to the cold hands of death. His dedication, resourcefulness, and leadership will be sorely missed,” Tokosi said. A statement issued from the Media Office of the group stated that…