Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a stark warning to Nigerians about the widespread presence of adulterated and contaminated foods in markets across the country.  During a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the acting Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, Adamu Abdullahi, highlighted the urgent need for vigilance among consumers. Abdullahi revealed that unscrupulous traders are engaging in harmful adulteration practices, disregarding the severe health implications for consumers.  He made these remarks at a one-day sensitization workshop aimed at traders, farmers, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the general public.  The workshop addressed issues such as…

 The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set aside contempt proceedings that were initiated by the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede. The unanimous judgement was delivered by Justice Joseph Oyewole on Thursday.  The court overruled the preliminary objection raised by the respondent, Yahaya Bello, on technical grounds. Justice Oyewole noted that the trial judge failed to extend the orders from February 9 in the final judgement delivered on April 17. Additionally, Justice Oyewole stated that the issue raised by the respondent regarding the interim order…

An Ekiti State  High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced a pastor with  Winner Chapel Church in Omuo-Ekiti, Enoch Ebinyiam to live imprisonment for raping a minor in Ekiti State . The convicted cleric was sentenced Thursday after the court ruled that it was satisfied the charge against him had been proved beyond reasonable doubt.  PLATFORM TIMES reports that the victim, a daughter of one of the worshippers in the convict’s church, was said to have been raped by the pastor in one of her visits to the vicarage. The girl was said to usually frequent the mission house to…

By Jelili Gbadamosi In a compelling appeal, former senator Shehu Sani has urged President Bola Tinubu to pardon the EndSARS protesters who remain in detention.  Speaking at a dinner marking the 2024 Democracy Day, Sani emphasised the importance of reconciliation and justice in healing the nation. In October 2020, Nigerian youths took to the streets to protest against the abuses committed by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the police.  The protests, which spread across cities like Lagos, Rivers, and Ibadan, led to the arrest of numerous protesters, many of whom are still behind bars. Sani, who represented Kaduna…

Daud Olatunji  An alleged scandal has rocked the Ogun State Housing Scheme, following the government’s failure to allocate houses to 200 applicants two years after payments were made. The affected individuals had expected to receive their homes in the Prince Court Estate, located along Kobape in Ogun State. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the applicants had each paid ₦5,500,000 into the coffers of the state government with the promise of receiving a house in the estate. However, almost three years later, they have yet to be allocated any property. The disgruntled applicants, represented by Adeyemi Aremu, have accused Governor Dapo Abiodun’s…

Daud Olatunji  State governors have urged the Federal Government to refund their full equity investments in the $10 billion National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP), managed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).  In addition to their equity investments, the governors, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), are also demanding an equitable rate of return on these investments. The governors’ demands were articulated in a document titled “Development of the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan Policy Recommendations by State Governments,” submitted to the Federal Ministry of Power.  While the ministry confirmed receipt of the…

In a significant development, 8,651 holders of Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA)  have withdrawn  a substantial sum of N14.20 billion in the first quarter of 2024 due to temporary job loss.  This information was disclosed in the latest report published by the National Pension Commission (PenCom). PLATFORM TIMES reports that the report indicated that PenCom received a total of 8,702 requests from RSA holders seeking to access 25 percent of their pension savings as a result of temporary unemployment.  It was also gathered that out of these, 8,651 requests were approved, while 51 were rejected because the applicants were above 50…

Wema Bank has announced its intention to pursue legal action in response to circulating reports suggesting that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is poised to revoke its banking licence. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the reports, which have gained traction on social media, particularly via a viral WhatsApp message, allege that Wema Bank, among others, is at risk of losing its licence. In a statement released on Tuesday by Mabel Adeteye, Wema Bank’s Head of Brands and Marketing Communications, the bank firmly denied these claims.  Adeteye emphasized that Wema Bank’s recent performance, including its financial results for the first quarter…

Organised Labour has strongly refuted President Bola Tinubu’s assertions that an agreement on a new national minimum wage had been reached, as stated in his Democracy Day address.  The labour unions emphasised that no consensus was achieved during the last negotiation session held on June 7. Contrary to the President’s announcement, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the government, along with the Organised Private Sector (OPS), had only discussed two separate figures: N250,000 proposed by the labour unions and N62,000 suggested by the government and OPS.  These figures were expected to be presented to the President for further deliberation. In…

Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man, Yusuf Adenoyin, for possessing eight human skulls and other human parts in Isua, the headquarters of Akoko South-East Local Government Area.  The arrest, which took place on June 10, 2024, at about 8:00 AM, occurred during a routine check at the Isua/Epinmi checkpoint by the Police Safer Highway Patrol. Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, the state Police Public Relations Officer, provided details of the incident.  According to her, the police personnel flagged down a Nissan Salon car en route to Akure for inspection.  During the search, one of the passengers attempted to flee but…