Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused key officials within the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of orchestrating clandestine moves aimed at destabilising the newly formed opposition coalition and sowing confusion within its ranks. In a statement issued on Monday, the ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary and National Coalition Spokesperson, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that top Federal Government officials have summoned former state chairmen and executive committee members of the party from the North-East and North-West to secret meetings. According to Abdullahi, the real objective of the meetings is not related to national security or peacebuilding, but to intimidate…

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has restated Nigeria’s firm commitment to the global ban on nuclear tests, saying the country has no intention of venturing into nuclear weapons development. Shettima made the declaration on Monday during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), Dr. Robert Floyd, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He said Nigeria and other African countries are more focused on tackling poverty and climate change than on acquiring nuclear weapons. “We have no business dabbling in anything that has to do with nuclear weapons,” Shettima said. “We are fighting poverty and addressing…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two operators of the controversial Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX), Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged multi-billion dollar investment fraud. The duo, who appeared before Justice Mohammed Umar on Monday, are facing a three-count amended charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/216/2025, bordering on illegal financial operations, operating an unlicensed investment scheme, and obtaining funds from the public without regulatory approval. According to the EFCC, the accused persons, alongside other fleeing CBEX promoters, allegedly defrauded unsuspecting investors by collecting public funds and promising outrageous returns of up…

The De Renaissance Patriots Foundation has berated the leadership of the National Assembly over what it described as a flawed and exclusionary consultation process in the ongoing constitutional review, particularly in the South West geopolitical zone. The group, in a strongly worded statement on Monday, faulted the recent engagement between the National Assembly and selected traditional rulers from the region, saying it excluded critical indigenous stakeholders, especially from Lagos State. The meeting, which held on Friday, July 4, 2025, reportedly focused on sensitive issues including the recognition of 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos and the controversial proposal…

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has joined his ancestors, barely a year after ascending the prestigious throne of the ancient city. The Special Assistant to the late Oba on Media, Chief Toye Arulogun confirmed the report, saying, official confirmation would soon be made . When asked to confirm the death of the Olubadan, Arulogun said “Yes, that was how we saw it. Please wait a while; an official statement will be released soon.” Oba Olakulehin, who turned 90 just two days ago on July 5, passed away in the early hours of Monday, July 7, 2025. His death…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has reduced the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to ₦910 per litre at its retail stations in Abuja, marking a significant ₦35 drop from the previous ₦945 per litre. PLATFORM TIMES gathered on Sunday that the price slash was observed across several outlets in the nation’s capital, with some stations along Lugbe and Airport Road selling petrol at ₦935 per litre. This development comes on the heels of falling international crude oil prices. Brent crude, the global benchmark, dipped to $68.30 per barrel as of June 4,…

President Bola Tinubu has charged the Nigerian Armed Forces to intensify their campaign against terrorism and other threats to national security, declaring his full backing for any operation aimed at defending Nigeria’s sovereignty. Speaking at the grand finale of the 162nd Nigerian Army Day Celebration, held on Sunday at the Murtala Muhammed Square in Kaduna, Tinubu — represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima — reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the operational capacity and welfare of the military. In a strongly worded address, the President urged troops to rise to the challenge of defending the nation, assuring them of…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismantled what it described as a family-run drug cartel operating out of Lagos, arresting a businessman, his wife, their two daughters, and a close family associate in a coordinated series of operations that uncovered over 500kg of illicit drugs. NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, confirmed that the syndicate—led by 51-year-old Ajah Johnson Uchenna and his wife, Rosemary Uchenna—was uncovered following intelligence-led operations involving the Department of State Services (DSS) and NDLEA operatives. The couple was initially arrested on June 13 in the Ojo area of Lagos by DSS…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has smashed a sprawling syndicate behind the issuance of fake admission letters, flagging no fewer than 17,417 candidates and arresting five suspected masterminds in what may be the most audacious admission fraud uncovered in recent Nigerian history. The board disclosed this in a statement issued by its Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, noting that the crackdown followed a joint investigation launched in April 2024 alongside the Nigeria Police Force. The syndicate reportedly exploited desperate admission seekers by issuing forged JAMB admission letters in exchange for hefty payments. According to JAMB, the suspects—now…

Gunmen on Sunday morning launched a deadly ambush on a police patrol team in Imo State, killing one officer and abducting an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), sparking fears of escalating insecurity in the region. The attack, which occurred around 9:00 a.m. at Finas Gas Station along the Okigwe-Umuahia Road near the Old Gariki area of Okigwe, left Police Constable Oluebube dead on the spot after being shot by the assailants. His service rifle was also taken by the attackers. The team, reportedly led by ASP Casmir, came under sudden fire while stationed at the area. Following the attack, the…