Author: Platform Times Newspaper

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Thursday, met with National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.  The meeting, which took place at Ribadu’s office in Abuja, has garnered considerable attention due to its timing and context. While the specifics of their discussion were not disclosed, Governor Yusuf described the meeting as a “fruitful engagement.”  This meeting  occurs amidst a contentious battle for the Kano throne, a situation that has deeply divided the state’s political and traditional landscapes. The controversy began when Governor Yusuf dethroned Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir of Kano, reinstating Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi to the position.  This…

In a bid to address the persistent issue of land grabbing in Ogun State, a prominent legal practitioner, Moruff Balogun, has formally called on the Ogun State House of Assembly to combat menace of land grabbing. Balogun urged the Assembly to  amend specific sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice and Other Related Matters Law of Ogun State, 2017.  Balogun, Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ijebu Ode branch, and Chairman of its Human Rights’ Committee, submitted a detailed letter to the Speaker of the House, Oludaisi  Elemide highlighting the urgent need for legislative action. In his letter,…

Daud Olatunji & Enoch Oyedibu Three states in the South West of Nigeria—Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo—have collectively received N2,459,298,807,953.19 from the Federal Account between 2019 and 2023.  During the same period, these states generated N5,085,208,261,206.21 through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Further investigation by PLATFORM TIMES revealed that Lagos topped the three states with a total of N4.34 trillion in IGR and N1.52 trillion in FAAC allocations over five years.  Ogun State followed with N429,208,261,206.16 in IGR and N276,944,533,233.19 from FAAC.  Oyo State, with the least among the three, received N480.3 billion from FAAC and generated N316.8 billion in IGR in…

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Ogun State Council, has expressed profound gratitude to the Governor of Ogun State,  Dr. Dapo Abiodun, for his recent approval of N2 billion for the payment of gratuities to state and local government pensioners.  This significant financial commitment aims to alleviate the backlog of unpaid gratuities, providing much-needed relief to the senior citizens of Ogun State. In an official letter addressed to the Governor, the Chairman of the Union, Comrade (Chief) W.O. Oloyede, along with the Executive Council, conveyed heartfelt appreciation on behalf of all members.  The union acknowledged the governor’s consistent support and compassion…

A physically challenged and a  resident of Ogun State, Omoyayi Abiodun Sheriff, has penned an  open letter  to the state governor,  Dapo Abiodun accusing  him of neglecting the needs of the disabled community in the state. The aggrieved resident who claimed to have represented  People Living With Disability (PWD) in the  State said the economic situation is threatening their marriages. He said the economic situation has led to crash of many marriages of  his colleagues, declaring that they are hungry. Sheriff in his  scathing assessment of the governor’s five-year tenure, also  accused  the Governor  of  failing to deliver on promises…

President Bola Tinubu has announced that passengers can enjoy free rides on the newly commissioned Abuja Rail Transport System until December 31.  The move was aimed at easing transportation challenges and fostering goodwill among residents. The announcement came on Wednesday during the inauguration of the metro rail project in Abuja, a key event marking President Tinubu’s one year in office. The inauguration ceremony was attended by several high-profile officials, including FCT Minister Nysom Wike.  Initially, Minister Wike announced that the Abuja light rail would offer free rides for two months starting from Tuesday.  However, in a spirited appeal, President Tinubu…

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the interim forfeiture of $1.4 million linked to Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to the Federal Government of Nigeria.  Justice Ayokunle Faji issued the order, requiring the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to publish the forfeiture order in a national newspaper.  This will allow any interested parties to appear before the court within 14 days to contest the final forfeiture of the funds. The forfeited funds are held in the account of Donatone Limited at Titan Bank Limited. Justice Faji adjourned the matter to…

Former Minister of Education, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has voiced her opposition to reverting to Nigeria’s old national anthem, a change recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.  In a passionate statement on her X handle on Wednesday, Ezekwesili condemned the decision, describing it as an “obnoxious law” that contradicts the conscience of right-minded Nigerians. Ezekwesili’s declaration came in the wake of the rapid passage of the National Anthem Bill 2024 by the Senate and the House of Representatives. The bill reinstates “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the national anthem, replacing the current “Arise, O Compatriots.” Proponents of the bill,…

The Benue State High Court has issued an order restraining the current Benue State Government from investigating the administration of former Governor Chief Samuel Ortom.  The ruling, delivered by Justice T. T. Asua, puts a temporary stop to the activities of the commission of inquiry recently established by the state government to scrutinise the income and expenditure during Ortom’s tenure from May 29, 2015, to May 28, 2023. This judicial intervention follows a motion ex-parte filed by Ortom, seeking a prerogative writ of prohibition against the inquiry commission.  The commission, set up by the incumbent Governor of Benue State, aimed…

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the terrorism charges against Bello Bodejo, President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Kore.  This decision followed the federal government’s unexpected announcement that it would no longer pursue the case. During the hearing on Wednesday, prosecuting lawyer Mrs. Aderonke Imana informed the court of the government’s decision to withdraw the charges.  Mrs. Imana made an oral application based on Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and the constitutional authority of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) under Section 174.  She stated, “The Honourable Attorney-General…