Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Oyo State Government has announced the arrest of 32 individuals, including two Chinese nationals, for their involvement in illegal mining operations at Sooro market in Kishi, Irepo Local Government Area of the state. The announcement was made by the state Director-General of Operation Burst, Col. James Oladipo Ajibola, following a critical security stakeholders’ meeting held at the Deputy Governor’s Office, Agodi, in the state capital, Ibadan. The crackdown came after the state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, ordered the closure of the market and the immediate evacuation of all illegal structures and shanties erected within the market premises and surrounding…

Fawaz Adebisi Pandemonium broke out on Monday when operatives of the Department of State Services reportedly stormed a high court in Ilaro with weapons, disrupting the hearing of a case about a crisis that occurred in Agosasa area in Ipokia local government area of Ogun State. Causing chaos in the courtroom, the DSS reportedly whisked away two defendants in the case, Alhaji Fatai Isiaka and One Samuel Oyero, while the case being presided over by Justice A. A. Shobayo, was going on . PLATFORM TIMES had reported the crisis rocking the town where property worth billions of naira was destroyed…

Daud Olatunji In a damning exposé of widespread corruption within Nigeria’s corporate landscape, the World Bank has blacklisted a staggering 62 Nigerian firms and contractors for engaging in fraudulent activities.  According to the latest report by the World Bank, as of May 12, 2024, the number of blacklisted entities has surged from 11 in 2023 to 62 in 2024.  These companies and individuals, found guilty of repeatedly failing integrity tests and engaging in sharp practices during procurement processes, have been sanctioned for periods ranging from four to nine years.  Their infractions include illegal documentation, fraudulent procurement practices, and improper payments…

Effa Okim, the Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) overseeing Edo, Delta, and Ondo states, has shed light on how underage internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo Boys, circumvent regulations to perpetrate financial crimes.  Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Edo State, Okim revealed alarming trends regarding the exploitation of underage individuals in fraudulent activities. According to Okim, underage fraudsters often falsify their age to obtain driving licenses, which they then leverage to open bank accounts for the purpose of laundering illicit funds.  This practice allows them to evade…

Members of the organized labour have announced plans to shut down offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Distribution Companies (DisCos) across the country. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the move was  aimed at pressuring the Federal Government to reverse the recent electricity tariff hike.  The action comes in response to the commission’s decision to significantly raise electricity tariffs, which has been met with widespread disapproval from consumers. The controversy ignited when NERC implemented a staggering increase in electricity tariffs, raising rates from N65/kWh to N225/kWh for Band A users.  Despite a subsequent marginal reduction approved by the Federal…

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has  reaffirmed his retirement from party politics, asserting that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains a part of his political history.  Obasanjo, speaking during his visit to Osogbo, Osun State, to commission the VIP lodge at the Government House, commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for his dual role as both a diligent worker and an enthusiastic dancer. “Some people once despised you for being a dancer, but I maintained that only happy people dance. You are my dancing partner,” Obasanjo expressed, acknowledging Adeleke’s vibrancy and commitment to governance. Reflecting on the complexities of governing Osun State,…

In a bid to revolutionize the landscape of cooperative societies in Nigeria, Wema Bank has unveiled CoopHub, a groundbreaking digital solution tailored to address the myriad challenges faced by these communities.  The announcement was made during the bank’s 79th-anniversary celebration on Friday, marking a significant milestone in the bank’s commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. CoopHub, described as the future of cooperative societies, is poised to transform the traditional framework by providing tailored solutions that alleviate common pain points such as manual recordkeeping, limited access to loans, poor communication, insecurity, and other operational restrictions.  Moruf Oseni, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer…

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has raised concerns over Nigeria’s federalism practice, describing it as “lopsided” and detrimental to the development of states.  He emphasized the need for a review of the revenue derivation formula to promote fiscal federalism and ensure equitable distribution of resources. Speaking at an event in Houston, Texas, where he was honoured with the “Icon of Unity and Social Justice” award by Ijaws in the United States of America and Canada, Governor Diri highlighted the challenges faced by resource-endowed states like Bayelsa.  He criticized the current practice where states in the Niger Delta region receive only…

The Police Command in Kaduna State said Its operatives have arrested a suspected kidnapper who allegedly abducted his cousin’s sister and killed her after she recognised him. The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna. However, the PPRO did not disclose when the suspect was arrested. Hassan said, “On February 12, at about 100hrs, Mr. Saidu Dahiru, father of the victim and a resident of Angwan Juma’a, Zaria, reported to the Zaria City Police Station that his daughter, Aisha Saidu, a six-year-old female, went missing on her…

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a man for posting nude images of his four-year old daughter. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the father posted naked pictures of his daughter while calling on Nigerians to attend her birthday.  Force Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement said the content portrays the young child in inappropriate poses, akin to adult contents. The Police in strong terms condemned the exploitation of the vulnerable child. “Nigeria Police Force acknowledges the public outcry in response to disturbing images and videos involving a 4-year-old child with the Instagram handle @officialsarah_ig, circulating on…