Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has raised concerns over internal divisions within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), warning that unchecked egos, competing ambitions, and external interference could undermine the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections. In an exclusive interview  on Thursday, Saraki highlighted the unique challenges of managing an opposition party, noting that unlike ruling parties, opposition politics lacks a centralized command structure, making consensus-building more complex and demanding compromises from all stakeholders “In a ruling party, decision-making tends to follow a command-and-control structure. But in an opposition party, there is no clear superiority. It requires negotiation, patience,…

…Comment Triggers Nationwide Backlash …DHQ Says Stance Aligns With Global Best Practices …Experts Warn Stance May Embolden Insurgency Daud Olatunji The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, on Thursday sparked nationwide debate after asserting that terrorists operating in Nigeria should be rehabilitated rather than killed, stressing the need to give insurgents a chance to repent. Oluyede made the remarks at the inaugural lecture of the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre, Abuja, defending the Federal Government’s deradicalisation initiative, Operation SAFE CORRIDOR. He likened insurgents to the biblical prodigal son, arguing that denying them…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has launched an investigation into Babajide Sanwo-Olu following the tracing of part of a controversial $13 million to contractors linked to the Lagos State Government. Findings  revealed that investigators are scrutinising financial transactions involving associates of socialite and businesswoman Aisha Achimugu, whose firm was at the centre of the funds forfeited to the Federal Government. The development comes as the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered the final forfeiture of the $13 million after ruling that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities. Funds traced to Lagos contractors Sources familiar with the…

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has formally presented a comprehensive framework for the establishment of state police to the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, in a move seen as a major push towards decentralising Nigeria’s policing architecture. The proposal, contained in a 75-page document titled “A Comprehensive Framework for the Establishment, Governance and Coordination of Federal and State Police,” was submitted at the National Assembly, Abuja, on Thursday. The report was delivered on behalf of the IGP by the Chairman of the Nigeria Police Force committee on state police, Olu Ogunsakin, who led the team mandated…

The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested 22 persons, including a hotel manager, over alleged immoral activities in Kumbotso Local Government Area. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the suspects were apprehended during a raid on Stephrica Guest Palace located at Kureken Sani area of the council on Wednesday following intelligence reports. Confirming the development on Thursday, the Deputy Commandant of the board, Mujahid Aminudeen, disclosed that the suspects comprised 10 males and 11 females. He said the operation was carried out after the board received credible information from residents alleging that the individuals had converged on the hotel for activities considered…

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of a factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kabiru Turaki, over his failure to appear for arraignment in a criminal case instituted by the Nigeria Police Force. The trial judge, Justice U.P. Kekemeke, issued the bench warrant on Thursday, ruling that the former minister had no valid reason to be absent from court despite being duly summoned. Turaki is facing a one-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, accusing him of allegedly providing false information in a…

An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded a 37-year-old nurse, Kehinde Adesanya, at a correctional facility over her alleged involvement in the attempted termination of a pregnancy that resulted in the death of a National Youth Service Corps member. Adesanya is facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, attempt to procure abortion and murder. The prosecuting counsel, Solomon Babalola, urged the court to grant an ex parte motion seeking the remand of the defendant for 60 days at the Ibara Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the Ogun State Director of Public Prosecution. Babalola told the court that the offences…

Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Limited has said it will challenge the recent ruling of the Federal High Court ordering the forfeiture of some of its assets, insisting that neither the company nor its leadership was found guilty of any wrongdoing. The firm disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its Company Secretary, Barrister Nnenna Onyeaso, who described the judgment as a civil asset forfeiture order based on suspicion rather than proof. According to Onyeaso, the court’s decision did not establish any criminal liability against the company, stressing that the ruling fell short of indicting Oceangate or its…

A Federal High Court sitting in Katsina on Thursday sentenced a young man, Ibrahim Abdulaziz, to three years’ imprisonment for impersonating a candidate during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. The examination is conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. Trial judge, Hussaini Dadan-Garba, convicted Abdulaziz after finding him guilty of examination malpractice, stressing that the custodial sentence, handed down without an option of fine, would serve as a deterrent to others. However, the court discharged and acquitted the actual UTME candidate, Bolanwu Emmanuel, who had been standing trial alongside the convict. Earlier, the prosecution, led by the Police Officer-…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reiterated its commitment to bridging the digital divide in underserved communities, with a special focus on Plateau State. This was disclosed by Ms. Rimini Makama, NCC’s Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, during a courtesy visit to Gov. Caleb Mutfwang at the Government House, Jos, on Monday. Speaking on behalf of the Commission, Ms. Makama described Plateau as a “strategic and indispensable partner” in Nigeria’s national broadband agenda, citing the state’s strong educational institutions, vibrant innovation hubs, youthful population, and policies supportive of digital transformation. “We recognize Plateau State not just ceremonially, but strategically,” she…