Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld a judgment compelling Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited, operators of 9Mobile, to pay $87.5 million to two investors, bringing to a close a protracted legal dispute over investment returns. In a unanimous decision delivered by a five-member panel led by Mohammed Garba, the apex court dismissed an appeal filed by the telecom firm, describing it as lacking merit. The judgment affirmed the earlier ruling of the Court of Appeal, which validated an arbitral award granted in favour of Afdin Ventures Limited and Dirbia Nigeria Limited. The arbitral award, issued on September 26, 2022,…

Former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, has criticised the timing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s trip to the United Kingdom, saying the President missed an opportunity to demonstrate empathy following recent terrorist attacks in Borno State. Akande, however, acknowledged the President’s directive ordering military chiefs to relocate to the North-East in response to the attacks, describing the move as commendable. At least 23 persons were killed and 108 others injured when suspected suicide bombers struck multiple locations in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The attacks targeted a post office, a crowded weekly market and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital within…

The United States has deployed no fewer than 200 military personnel and a fleet of surveillance drones to Nigeria to bolster intelligence gathering in the fight against insurgent groups in the North-East. Findings  indicate that the deployment, which followed a request by the Nigerian government, is strictly for non-combat operations, with American troops barred from engaging in frontline battles. Officials from both countries disclosed that the drones—identified as MQ-9 Reapers—are designated solely for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and will not be used for airstrikes. A United States defence official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, described the…

Jehovah’s Witnesses have announced a significant clarification to their long-standing doctrine on blood transfusion, granting members the discretion to decide whether their own blood can be used during medical procedures. The religious group, however, reaffirmed its prohibition against transfusions involving blood from another person. The new position was disclosed in a video statement released on Friday by a member of the organisation’s Governing Body, Gerrit Lösch, who said the clarification was aimed at allowing adherents to make personal, faith-based decisions regarding medical treatment. He explained that while the doctrine requires Christians to abstain from blood, the Bible does not explicitly…

The National Youth Service Corps has expressed grief over the death of a corps member in Abeokuta, Ogun State, pledging full cooperation with authorities to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. In a statement on Saturday, the scheme described the development as tragic, noting that investigations were already underway to ascertain the cause of death. “The management of the NYSC is deeply saddened by the loss of a corps member in Abeokuta, Ogun State, under circumstances currently being investigated by authorities and stakeholders concerned nationwide,” the statement read. The scheme extended condolences to the family of the deceased, praying for…

The Muslim Congress, Ogun State chapter, has called on Muslims to uphold the spiritual discipline and moral values cultivated during Ramadan, warning against a relapse into sinful acts after the fasting period. The group’s Coordinator (Waali) in the state, Dr Jamiu Folarin, made the call in a statement issued on Saturday to mark the 1447 A.H./2026 Eid-ul-Fitr celebration. Folarin congratulated Muslims in Ogun State, across Nigeria and worldwide for the successful completion of the 30-day fast, describing Ramadan as a period of spiritual renewal, self-discipline and moral rebirth. He stressed that the lessons of Ramadan should extend beyond the fasting…

A medical practitioner and humanitarian, Dr. Bolaji Marie Odusina, has provided free medical services to hundreds of residents in Ogun State, alongside distributing Ramadan palliatives to vulnerable households. The outreach, which held on March 17 in Sagamu and March 18 in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, offered beneficiaries access to free medical consultations, basic laboratory tests, medications, and professional health advice. Residents were also screened for common ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, and infectious diseases, while health workers sensitised participants on preventive healthcare practices. As part of the initiative, Odusina also embarked on a media tour across radio, television, and online…

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.), has said he should not be held accountable for the failure of authorities to publicly identify financiers of terrorism in Nigeria, insisting that the responsibility lies with relevant government agencies. Buratai made the clarification on Friday while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he addressed issues surrounding the country’s ongoing security challenges. According to him, security agencies are aware of individuals backing terrorist activities, but the decision not to disclose their identities rests with the government. “You cannot say I should be responsible for naming the…

Tragedy struck Dutse, Jigawa State, on Tuesday as two separate fire incidents claimed the lives of two children and destroyed property worth several thousands of naira. The Jigawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps confirmed the incidents in a statement on Thursday, describing the loss of the children as devastating. According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani Mahmud, the first incident occurred in the early hours of March 17 at about 4:00 a.m. at Layin Dabinai, near Masallacin Malam Babba in Dutse. Mahmud said the fire, the cause of which is yet to…

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested four siblings over their alleged involvement in the killing of a private security guard during an attack on a farm in Jama’are Local Government Area of the state. The incident, which reportedly occurred in the early hours of Sunday, March 15, left one guard dead and two others injured. Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the attack was first reported by local hunters who alerted authorities to a violent invasion of the farm belonging to one Idris Waziri Kwamawa. According to the statement,…