Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A 35-year-old man, Hoya Abraham (alias star boy) has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment in Lagos for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl after he pleaded guilty to an amended charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration. Abraham admitted guilt under a plea bargain agreement. While pronouncing the sentence on Abraham on Thursday, Justice Rahman Oshodi of Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court said he was satisfied that Abraham understood the nature of the plea bargain and the gravity of the charge against him. Oshodi noted that Hoya Abraham pleaded not guilty to a charge of defilement when he…

In a disconcerting development, Al-Qalam University in Katsina has officially acknowledged the abduction of two female students. These students were passengers in a commercial vehicle traveling from Niger State to Katsina, and the unfortunate incident unfolded in the vicinity of Zaria in Kaduna State. The last known communication from the students to their families was when they reached Zaria on their journey to Katsina. Malam Akilu Abubakar, the spokesperson for Al-Qalam University, confirmed the distressing incident on Thursday in Katsina. Addressing the situation, Abubakar stated, “We wish to provide clarification on recent reports concerning two female students of our institution,…

In a tragic incident, two lives were lost, and chaos ensued as over 70 houses were set ablaze during a communal clash between Oturpo-Ojile and Ochi-Ibadan communities in Kogi State. The conflict ignited when villagers from Ochi-Ibadan allegedly killed a man from Oturpo-Ojile who was returning from Lagos. Fuelled by grief, youths from Oturpo-Ojile retaliated by launching a reprisal attack on Ochi-Ibadan, resulting in the widespread destruction of homes. During a plenary session on Thursday, Hon. Akus Lawal, the representative of Ankpa 1 state constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, confirmed the grim incident. He expressed deep concern…

In a groundbreaking move, Hon. Comrade Sunday Dayo Asefon, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement, has championed the call for automatic employment for first-class graduates from universities across the nation. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the Nigerian students’ flag and Renewed Hopen Agenda in Abuja on Thursday, Asefon emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in recognizing and rewarding academic excellence. He announced plans to introduce initiatives by March aimed at revitalizing hope among Nigerian students and encouraging them to align with the government’s agenda. Asefon expressed strong opposition to universities imposing fees for mandatory…

In a landmark moment for youth empowerment, Accurate Creative Minds Foundation (ACMF) has perfected  plans to unveil its highly anticipated Development Center in Kuto, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Saturday, the 20th of January, 2024.   This eagerly awaited event promises to be a celebration of ACMF’s commitment to fostering positive change in the community through impactful initiatives. Media Consultant to the foundation,Jamiu Folarin in a statement described the founder, Babatunde Odedele, a distinguished medical entrepreneur, as a catalyst for positive change since its inception. He said the foundation’s journey, marked by impactful initiatives, is poised to reach…

In a decisive move, the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has instructed the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investments to reimburse N75bn designated for COVID-19 intervention, following the ministry’s absence at the investigative hearing on the alleged mismanagement of pandemic funds. The motion, spearheaded by Bassey Akiba of the Labour Party from Cross River State, gained traction during Thursday’s sitting, prompting the committee to endorse the directive for the ministry to return the funds to the Federal Government’s coffers. The PAC had invited 59 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies for an investigative hearing on the purported mishandling of…

Daud Olatunji In a grim revelation, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has disclosed that a staggering 351 individuals lost their lives in 839 auto crashes within Ogun State throughout the year 2023.  The disheartening announcement was made by Mr. Anthony Uga, the State Sector Commander of FRSC, during a press briefing with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ota on Thursday. The toll extends beyond the fatalities, with 2,092 people sustaining varying degrees of injuries in the distressing incidents.  Uga attributed the majority of these crashes to drivers’ excessive speeding and other traffic violations. Wrongful overtaking, tire bursts, and…

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has approved the request of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, allowing him to travel outside of Abuja. Emefiele, represented by his lawyer, Matthew Bukka, SAN, sought a modification of the terms in his bail conditions.  On November 22, 2023, Justice Hamza Muazu had granted Emefiele bail amounting to N300 million with two sureties in a similar sum, specifying that the sureties must possess landed property in the Maitama District of the FCT.  Additionally, the former CBN governor was prohibited from leaving the court’s jurisdiction and required…

Daud Olatunji  In the aftermath of the harrowing explosion  that shook the Bodija area of Ibadan, the Da’wah Front of Nigeria (DFN) has conveyed  its deepest condolences and sympathies to the respected citizens of Oyo State. Addressing the community during this distressing period, the religious group said it stands  in solidarity with the entire Oyo State, offering heartfelt prayers and thoughts to those affected by this devastating incident.  Dawah Front in a statement jointly signed by Imaam & National Missioner, Prof. Imaam Taofiq AbdulAzeez and the National Coordinator, AbdulGafaar Musliudeen,said the  immeasurable impact of such a tragic event has left…

The leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo,has  criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to service chiefs, denouncing it as an inadequate response to the pervasive insecurity in Plateau State and across the nation. Speaking during a condolence visit to the Jos residence of late Chief Solomon Lar, a former Governor of Plateau State and the first National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Adebanjo expressed concern about the security challenges faced by the country.  He cautioned against adopting the same approach as former President Muhammadu Buhari, highlighting that mere “marching orders” proved ineffective during Buhari’s tenure.…