Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has freed four police officers and a property developer, Abiodun Ariori, accused of killing six traders in the Owode Onirin area of Kosofe, following legal advice that the officers acted in self-defence. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the suspects were discharged after the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, in a legal opinion dated March 3, 2026, ruled that there was no prima facie case to support charges of manslaughter. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, in the advice, faulted the police investigation, citing insufficient evidence linking the suspects to the deaths of the victims. The…

Two Nigerians, Akinade Raheem and Abayomi Eletu, are facing a combined maximum of 100 years’ imprisonment in the United States over their alleged involvement in a $100m tax fraud scheme targeting the Internal Revenue Service. According to a statement released by the US Department of Justice, the duo allegedly conspired with others between 2018 and 2023 to fraudulently obtain tax refunds by stealing and exploiting the identities of taxpayers and tax professionals. Raheem, 43, and Eletu, 42—said to be residents of the United States and the United Kingdom respectively—were accused of filing over 300 false tax returns, claiming more than…

The National Open University of Nigeria has matriculated 58 inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ogun State Command, as part of efforts to promote rehabilitation and reintegration through education. The matriculation ceremony, held at the Ibara Custodial Centre in Abeokuta on Thursday, underscored the growing role of open and distance learning in expanding access to education, particularly among underserved populations, including inmates. Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, represented by a senior official, described the occasion as “a moment of awakening,” stressing that education remains a powerful tool for overcoming limitations and transforming lives.…

The convener of The Alternative, Segun Sowunmi, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State, but declined to disclose the political platform he will run on. Sowunmi made the declaration on Friday during a visit to the secretariat of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Abeokuta, where he also sought the support of political stakeholders ahead of the poll. The former spokesman to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar said his ambition was driven by the need to provide “purposeful and quality leadership” for the state, stressing that the 2027 election should not be reduced to a mere…

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Olubode Bode Ojajuni, has urged broadcasters to promote positive narratives about Nigeria and prioritise the projection of the country’s cultural heritage in their programming. Ojajuni gave the charge on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by members of the Association of Nigerian Broadcasters, Ogun State chapter, at the state Police Command headquarters. The delegation, led by the State Governor of ANBROAD, Gbenga Goke Fadiran, visited the police boss to welcome him to the state and strengthen collaboration between the media and the Nigeria Police Force. Addressing the broadcasters, Ojajuni stressed the need for responsible…

A Senior Editor with the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, Waheed Ogunjobi, has earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Policy and Strategic Communication from Lagos State University, Ojo. The doctorate was conferred following the successful defence of his thesis before an academic panel chaired by communication scholar, Sola Adeyanju. Ogunjobi’s research, titled Newspapers’ Framing of Rural Grazing Area Policy in Nigeria, examined the media’s role in shaping public perception and influencing policy outcomes, particularly in relation to contentious national issues. Findings from the study revealed critical gaps in policy communication and underscored the need for improved media engagement through…

By: Folorunso Fatai Adisa (Published in the Punch Newspaper on Friday, 17 April, 2026). When the merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria and the Congress for Progressive Change produced the All Progressives Congress, it carried with it a rare national expectation. For many Nigerians, weary of the long and often turbulent years under the Peoples Democratic Party, the emergence of a new political coalition felt like the opening of a different chapter. The mantra of “Change” was not just an ordinary slogan but a psychological contract with the people. It suggested renewal, redirection, and a break from the habits…

The Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, has commenced the electronic processing of academic documents with the introduction of its MAPOLY Integrated Central System. The institution said the initiative, which aligns with global best practices, is designed to simplify and fast-track administrative procedures for students and graduates. The digital platform, known as MAPOLY Integrated Central System, serves as a one-stop portal for academic services, aimed at eliminating bottlenecks associated with the manual processing and collection of documents. According to the management, the platform—developed under the framework of Sorting Peculiar Educational Administrative Knots Seamlessly—represents a major step towards repositioning the polytechnic and improving…

The Apex Leadership of the All Progressives Congress in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State has adopted a former member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye, as its consensus candidate for the House of Representatives. The decision followed a closed-door meeting involving key stakeholders and aspirants vying for the ticket, in what party leaders described as a strategic move to foster unity and strengthen the party’s chances ahead of the elections. The meeting, presided over by the Chairman of the Apex Leaders, Chief Joju Fadairo, had in attendance prominent figures within the party, including Chief…

Shareholders of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc have approved a N500bn Rights Issue aimed at strengthening the company’s capital base and accelerating its strategic expansion projects, particularly its backward integration programme. The approval was given at the company’s 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Wednesday in Lagos, where investors also commended the management for its resilience and improved performance amid a challenging macroeconomic environment. According to the shareholders, the capital raise would significantly support the company’s long-term growth plans and reduce reliance on imported raw materials through enhanced local production capacity. Chairman of Dangote Sugar, Mr. Arnold Ekpe, told shareholders…