Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Ogun State Judiciary on Friday announced far-reaching reforms in its bail bondsmen scheme, unveiling the 2025 Bondsmen Regulations and Practice Directions aimed at strengthening professionalism, accountability, and transparency in the justice system. Speaking at the Second Bondsmen Stakeholders’ Forum held at the Judiciary Complex, Kobape Road, Abeokuta, the Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, said the new regulations were introduced after five years of lessons from the pioneering scheme, which remains the only licensed bondsmen system in Nigeria. Justice Dipeolu revealed that the scheme had facilitated the release of over 10,000 defendants on bail since its inception…

…Former INEC Boss Laments Collapse Of Accountability … Urges visionary, People-Focused Governance Daud Olatunji Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s democratic stability, warning that poor and self-serving leadership is steadily undermining national progress. Jega, who spoke as keynote speaker at the 3rd Hybrid Annual National Conference of the Department of Political Science, Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, said the absence of responsible and visionary leaders has left the country trapped in cycles of underdevelopment and citizen frustration. According to him, leadership, democracy, and national development are inseparable pillars…

By Olufemi Ayannuga When Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, declared recently that the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Complex “will not work,” many Nigerians sighed in resignation. Coming from a businessman who has built Africa’s largest refinery against all odds, his verdict carries weight. Yet, should the nation accept his pronouncement as final? Or is there still room for what can be termed a “Tinubu miracle”? When the Nigerian government conceived Ajaokuta Steel in 1979 under President Shehu Shagari, the vision was clear: to industrialize Nigeria by establishing a robust steel backbone. The steel complex…

A seven-year-old girl has been hospitalised in Bauchi State after her brother’s wife allegedly burnt her private part with a hot knife in a brutal assault linked to witchcraft accusations. The victim, identified only as Habiba (not real name), was attacked by her sister-in-law, Suwaira Ibrahim, in Magama Gumau, Toro Local Government Area, after being accused of belonging to a group of “witches.” According to community activist Kabiru Mohammed Abdulkadir, trouble began when Suwaira’s child claimed to have seen the little girl among witches during the night. Acting on the suspicion, the suspect reportedly took the victim to a self-styled…

The Kwara State government has relocated the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area, to Ilorin following a wave of bandit attacks in the state. The State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Joshua Onifade, announced the development on Thursday while addressing journalists in Ilorin. He said the new temporary venue for the camp would be at the Kwara State Polytechnic campus along Old Jebba Road, Ilorin. Onifade explained that the decision was informed by security threats around the Yikpata camp, stressing that the safety of corps members remained a top priority. “The NYSC management…

Outrage has erupted in Sagamu after Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, allegedly ordered the suspension of an ongoing federal road project facilitated by former governor and serving senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. The project — the Paddy-Arikawe Oye Igbimo Road reconstruction — was approved by President Bola Tinubu through the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) and awarded to Minim and Tonye Nigeria Limited. Work had commenced before the intervention of the state government. This latest clash between Abiodun and Daniel has been attributed to the political hostility between the duo over 2027 Senatorial ticket if Ogun East . PLATFORM TIMES gathered…

A General Court Martial sitting at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, Plateau State, on Thursday sentenced a Nigerian soldier, Private Lukman Musa, to death by hanging for the murder of a commercial tricycle operator in Azare, Bauchi State. The court, presided over by Brigadier General Liafis Bello, found Musa guilty of culpable homicide and unlawful possession of ammunition following a trial that gripped national attention. According to the prosecution, Musa conspired with an accomplice, identified as Mr. Oba, to lure the unsuspecting tricycle rider, Mr. Abdulrahman Isa, to his residence under the pretense of helping him move personal belongings. Once inside,…

The Federal Government has ordered all mining and quarrying companies operating in Nigeria to conclude their Community Development Agreements (CDAs) with host communities by December 31, 2025, or risk stiff sanctions, including licence revocation. The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, issued the directive in Abuja on Thursday through a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, following a compliance review by the Mines Environmental Compliance Department (MEC). Alake expressed concern over the widening gap between mineral titles issued and the number of CDAs signed, describing the situation as “alarming and unacceptable.” He revealed that while 74…

The 2025 edition of the Creative Economy Week has ignited conversations around youth empowerment and economic growth as government officials, industry leaders, and development partners converged in Enugu to spotlight the country’s booming creative sector. Organised by the British Council in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy (FMACTCE), the event brought together policymakers, innovators, and young creatives to explore opportunities in film, music, fashion, performing and visual arts. The Enugu gathering formed part of a week-long series of activities across Nigeria—stretching to Port Harcourt, Kano, Lagos, Abuja, and even London—designed to highlight the…

The Convener of the United Premier Movement (UPM) in Abeokuta,Chief Olalekan  Shoyinka, popularly known as Ayinla Egba, has urged the Ogun State Government to complement its latest announcement of statewide road repairs with transparency, accountability, and measurable delivery. Shoyinka,  commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for what he described as a proactive attempt to tackle Ogun’s reputation as the “state with the poorest roads in Nigeria.” While applauding the government’s decision to mobilise road maintenance teams across all 20 local government areas, Shoyinka insisted that residents were no longer swayed by promises and press statements but wanted to see visible evidence of…