Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has issued a stark warning following the confirmation of 506 cases of Lassa fever across Nigeria, with the disease claiming the lives of 95 individuals as of February 23, 2025. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the disease has spread to 12 states and 70 local government areas in the country. According to the NCDC’s latest situation report for week eight of 2025, the Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) stands at 18.8%, consistent with figures from the previous year. The confirmed cases have been predominantly reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi, and several…

Daud Olatunji Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed displeasure over the name “Matthew” given to him by his parents, describing it as the name of a tax collector. He argued that Africans must decolonise their names as part of efforts to break free from the lingering effects of slavery, slave trade, and colonialism. Obasanjo, however, maintained his optimism about Nigeria, declaring that the country would attain greatness in his lifetime despite its current challenges. He made these remarks on Wednesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during a public lecture and book presentation to commemorate his 88th birthday. The event featured the…

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested a former immigration officer attempting to sell sophisticated firearms to bandits operating in the Abuja-Kaduna forests. The dismissed officer, whose identity was not disclosed, was nabbed following an intelligence-led operation by the FCT Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, preventing the arms from reaching criminal elements. Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the Officer in Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Mustafa Mohammed, said the operation was a significant breakthrough in disrupting the supply of illegal weapons to terrorists and kidnappers. “Acting on intelligence, the command intercepted these guns from a dismissed immigration officer attempting…

An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court has adjourned the case against controversial musician Habeeb Okikiola a.k.a Portable, to March 26 to enable the prosecution merge his charges with those of his workers. When the case against the artist resumed on Wednesday after his earlier arraignment on February 20, the prosecution told the court that it would be a waste of time for the court to hear the case of Portable and that of his workers separately. Senior State Counsel, Timileyin Oredein, told the court that the musician’s case had a sister case, which needed to be merged before trial begins. Mr Oredein…

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has officially dismissed a petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. The decision was announced by Committee Chairman Senator Neda Imasuen during a probe hearing held at the National Assembly on Wednesday. Senator Imasuen declared the petition “dead on arrival,” citing procedural irregularities under Order 40 of the Senate Standing Order. He pointed out that the petition was signed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan herself, which is in violation of the order that requires petitions to be endorsed by another individual.…

Feyisayo Ogunbiyi Tensions flared at the National Assembly on Wednesday, as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, made a dramatic entrance amidst protests and counter-protests by supporters and detractors of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The scene near the Mopol gate turned chaotic as Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters, joined by civil society groups, voiced demands for Akpabio’s resignation and a thorough investigation into allegations of sexual harassment. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan recently accused Akpabio of misconduct during a visit to his residence late last year and later when she sought support for her Ajaokuta Steel motion. The allegations, which have sparked controversy in political circles,…

FG To Arraign MTN CEO, Others For Alleged Breach Of Ac The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) will, on May 28, arraign Mr Karl Toriola, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc. Toriola, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and others will be arraigned over alleged failure to produce documents and information required by the commission in compliance with a lawful summons contrary to the FCCPC Act. The company and its CEO will be arraigned alongside Tobechukwu Okigbo, MTN’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer and Ikenna Ikeme, General Manager, Regulatory Affairs of MTN,…

David Shikfu Parradang, a former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), tragically passed away in the early hours of Tuesday at Joy House Hotel, Area 3 Junction, Abuja. Contrary to initial speculations of foul play, the FCT Police Command has issued a statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding his death. According to Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, Parradang’s body was discovered at approximately 4:00 am on March 4, 2025, within his hotel room. Initial reports suggesting a violent attack were dispelled by authorities, who confirmed that Parradang had checked into the hotel earlier in the day and…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned six officials of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) over an alleged N96 million fraud The officials were brought before Justice Akanbi of the Kwara State High Court, sitting in Ilorin, on Monday, facing a four-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds. A statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, identified the accused persons as Ahmed Husain Olarewaju, Director of Finance and Supply; Omole Omololu John, Controller of Finance and Accounts; Fatai Oyerinde, Coordinator of the Salary Unit; Mujeeb…

The Nigerian judiciary has assigned 48 justices across various divisions of the Federal High Court to handle cases brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a significant move aimed at expediting the trial of financial crimes . PLATFORM TIMES reports that the decision, was made public in a statement dated February 13, 2025, and signed by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John T. Tsoho. PLATFORM TIMES further gathered that the gesture seeks to fast-track the prosecution of financial crimes, money laundering, and corruption cases that have long plagued the country’s judicial system. The…