Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Nigerian pastor, Edward Abiodun Oluwasanmi, for his involvement in a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud the U.S. government of COVID-19 relief funds. Oluwasanmi, in collaboration with Osun monarch Oba Joseph Oloyede, is accused of fraudulently obtaining $4.2 million in federal loans intended to help struggling businesses during the pandemic. Oluwasanmi, a U.S.-based pastor, used his companies—Dayspring Property Incorporated, Dayspring Holdings, and Dayspring Transportation—to secure millions of dollars in relief funds. The loans, meant for businesses facing financial challenges, were later diverted by the pastor for personal use, in violation of U.S. federal laws.…

Ayomide Awe A Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party and the Collegiate Chairman in Abeokuta-North, Hon. Adeshina Olaleye, has reaffirmed the credibility of th governorship ca didate in 2923 election in the state, Ladi Adebutu as the true grassroots politician among the current crop of governorship aspirants in Ogun State. Speaking at the Abeokuta North Local Government Collegiate Council Meeting, Olaleye emphasized that unlike some aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adebutu’s paternal and maternal origins are undisputed. “Adebutu is a true son of the soil,” Olaleye said, adding that he has lived and operated his business in Ogun…

Feyisayo Ogunbiyi The Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Olaniyi Yusuf, has called for the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in town planning activities across Nigeria. Speaking as the guest speaker at the 11th Waheed Kadiri Lecture Series, organized by the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Ogun State Chapter, Yusuf emphasized that integrating AI into urban planning would enhance productivity and efficiency. The lecture, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, in honour of Alhaji Waheed Kadiri, a former president of NITP, coincided with his birthday. Kadiri’s enduring contributions to the progress of the physical planning profession in Nigeria…

Ayomide Awe Residents of the Oke-Masho Community Development Association in Omida, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday, staged a peaceful protest against the blockage of their community’s entrance by the MRS Filling Station. The protestors expressed their frustrations over the impact the blockage has had on their daily lives and businesses. According to reports gathered by Platform Times, the MRS Filling Station, which previously served as a key access point to the community, began renovations on August 12, 2024. This renovation led to the closure of the entrance, sparking confusion and anger among residents. Local businesses have been particularly affected, with…

The Lagos state house of assembly has denied reports of the defection of 27 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Labour Party (LP). A statement issued on Wednesday by Ogundipe Olukayode, chairman of the house committee on information, strategy and security, said the APC remains “united and focused”. He said reports of the “mass defection” from the ruling APC is “riddled with inaccuracies and outright falsehoods”. “The Lagos state house of assembly wishes to categorically debunk the malicious and unfounded publication alleging that twenty-seven members of the assembly are planning to defect from the ruling party to…

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has condemned the unlawful removal of democratically elected local government chairpersons by state governors, calling it a treasonable act. Fagbemi, speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at a Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) event, expressed concerns over the growing interference of state governors in local government affairs, which he said is a direct violation of the constitution and a Supreme Court ruling. Represented by Tijani Gazali, the Director of Civil Appeals in the Ministry of Justice, the AGF condemned what he described as the “unconstitutional connivance” between governors and…

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has affirmed that Justice Maurice Ikpambese remains the Chief Judge of Benue State. This statement comes in the wake of reports that the Benue State House of Assembly had passed a resolution calling for the removal of the state’s Chief Judge. In a statement issued on Wednesday, signed by the NJC’s spokesperson, Kemi Ogedengbe, the council emphasized that the removal of Justice Ikpambese could not stand. The NJC clarified that the alleged resolution was not in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which governs the discipline and appointment…

A socio-political organization, the Kaduna Central Integrity Group (KCIG), has criticized Governor Uba Sani for his alleged media attacks on Senator Lawal Adamu Usman, the representative of Kaduna Central Senatorial District. The group expressed disappointment in the Governor’s actions, particularly given what it described as the lack of meaningful impact from his administration since taking office on May 29, 2023. KCIG, in a statement issued on Wednesday, questioned the credibility of Governor Sani’s attacks, claiming that the Governor’s administration had “failed woefully” to improve the lives of the people of Kaduna. They stated it was laughable for Governor Sani to…

Daud Olatunji The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrival of Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, earlier today. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday. Odutola said that Portable arrived at the SCID at precisely 13:23 hours on February 19, 2025, in connection with an ongoing investigation. While details of the investigation remain undisclosed, she assured the public that due process would be observed in handling the matter and urged citizens to remain patient as updates will…

Daud Olatunji Billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote has witnessed a remarkable surge in his wealth, which has nearly doubled to an estimated $23.9 billion, according to the latest data from Forbes. The Nigerian entrepreneur has now reclaimed a spot among the top 100 wealthiest individuals globally, ranked 86th in the world. PLATFORM TIMES reports that this marks a significant leap from his previous ranking in 2024, when he was listed as the 144th richest person with a net worth of $13.4 billion. Dangote’s financial success is largely attributed to his 92.3 percent ownership stake in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals,…