Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a landmark ruling, the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), sitting in Abuja, has directed the Government of the Republic of Benin to compensate Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, with a sum of 20 million CFA.  The court handed down this judgment on Tuesday, citing unlawful detention and violation of fundamental human rights. Sunday Igboho, along with his wife, Ropo, was apprehended in July 2021 in Cotonou, Benin Republic, at the behest of the Nigerian government.  The decision came following an application lodged by Adeyemo challenging his…

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, appeared before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Financial Crimes to present the agency’s budget proposal for 2024, seeking an increase to the estimated N76.586 billion. During the budget defense, Olukoyede emphasized the necessity for additional resources to fulfill the agency’s mandates, highlighting the potential criticism from both the public and the parliament if performance expectations are not met. The proposed budget, representing a substantial 53.48% increase from the 2023 appropriation of N49.901 billion, outlines allocations such as N37.074 billion for personnel costs, N14.513 billion for overhead…

In the wake of the recent tragic incident in Kaduna State, the Arewa Action Group for Good Governance has urged President Bola Tinubu to demand the immediate resignation of Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja or dismiss them over the bombing of unarmed civilians. PLATFORM TIMES previously reported that on Sunday, the Nigerian military conducted airstrikes that resulted in the loss of lives among Muslims celebrating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad in Kaduna.  Despite the army’s assertion that the airstrikes targeted terrorists, the Arewa group strongly condemned the attack…

An Ilorin Magistrate’s Court in Kwara State has ordered the remand of Sultan Ojuwoni Atakoro, an Ibadan-based social media influencer and herbalist, along with his accomplice Olaitan Ibrahim Olalekan at the Correctional Service Centre Oke-Kura, Ilorin.  The duo faces charges of alleged rape and arson involving a 21-year-old victim, Firdaos Jimoh. The Kwara State Police Command brought Atakoro and Olalekan to court, presenting a First Information Report (FIR) that outlined the horrifying details of the case.  The FIR alleges that Atakoro serially raped and set ablaze Firdaos Jimoh in his shrine in Ibadan, Oyo State, with the involvement of Olalekan…

Daud Olatunji The Yobe State High Court in Potiskum has rendered a verdict in a case that shook the community—the murder of renowned Islamic cleric Sheikh Goni Aisami.  The court, presided over by Justice Usman Zanna Mohammed, sentenced a dismissed soldier, Lance Corporal John Gabriel, to death by hanging for his role in the heinous crime.  Additionally, Gabriel’s accomplice, Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon, received a 10-year prison sentence. The tragic incident unfolded in the Karasuwa local government area of Yobe State on August 22, 2022, when Sheikh Aisami, a highly respected Islamic scholar based in Gashua, was brutally murdered.  Shockingly,…

 The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has brought charges against Mr. Suleiman Adavize, a civil servant from the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), accusing him of falsely signing off on an incomplete contract. Adavize faced a three-count charge related to false statements before Hon Justice Peter Kekemeke at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.  One count alleged that he made a false statement in a progress report, claiming a 100% completion of the construction of an ICT Centre in Gumel Local Government Area, Jigawa State. The charges assert that Adavize, being an architect at…

Aminat Gusanu The National Bureau of Statistics NBS has reported that Nigeria achieved a notable trade surplus of ₦3.5 trillion between January and September 2023. NBS revealed this on Monday on its foreign trade report for the third quarter (Q3) of 2023. According to the bureau,in the nine months of the year Nigeria’s exports totalled N23.3 trillion and total imports stood at N19.7 trillion — which gives a trade surplus of N3.5 trillion. A trade surplus is an economic indicator of a positive trade balance in which the exports of a nation outweigh its imports. On foreign trade for Q1…

Daud Olatunji In a startling revelation, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has come under scrutiny for an expenditure of N15,453,509,603.08 on consultancy services across nine sectors, encompassing medical, legal, information, engineering, and agriculture. PLATFORM TIMES’s investigations brought to light a staggering sum of N3,391,953,161.62 spent in 2021, followed by a jaw-dropping N12,061,556,441.46 allocated for consultancy services in 2022. Medical consultancy emerged as the top spender in 2022, devouring a colossal N1.1 billion, while legal consultancy claimed N91,807,524.33 in 2021. The detailed information obtained from www.openstatesfund/Ogun revealed that the Abiodun-led government engaged consultants in more than nine areas, accumulating a…

Daud Olatunji In a bid to foster unity and development among the Yoruba people, Otunba Dr. Adebayo Odunowo, a prominent community leader and political figure in the All Progressives Congress Party (APC), hosted members of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, in his country home in Imoru-Ijebu, Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State. During the courtesy visit on Friday, Dr. Odunowo emphasized the importance of unity among Yorubas for rapid development and urged Afenifere to embrace inclusiveness by welcoming other prominent Yoruba individuals into the group.  He highlighted Afenifere’s historical significance as a leading force championing the interests of ethnic…

Daud Olatunji  In a heartfelt press statement issued today, First Heritage Culture and Hospitality Limited extended warm congratulations to His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, on the occasion of his 61st Birthday anniversary and 6th Coronation Anniversary. The statement, signed by Omo’ba Abiola Ogundeko, the Chief Executive Officer of the organization, lauded the Akarigbo for his unwavering commitment to peace, security, unity, and overall development in Remoland since ascending the throne in 2017. Highlighting the monarch’s impactful initiatives, the press release specifically commended His Royal Majesty for spearheading various non-governmental projects…