Author: Platform Times Newspaper

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has commenced the trial of three former soldiers and 10 other individuals charged with armed robbery, burglary, and receiving stolen property.  The trial began after the Nigerian Police Force arraigned the suspects on three charges. During Wednesday’s hearing, the prosecuting counsel, F. D. Sokari, representing the Inspector-General of Police, presented their first witness, Emmanuel Nwogu.  Nwogu testified and consented to his extrajudicial statement made to the police being tendered and admitted as evidence. However, the defense counsel, Monday Stephen-Akpekon, objected, arguing that the written statement on oath of the complainant, a…

The Yorubpressure group, Agbekoya Parapo, has  called on South-West governors to promote sustainable food production through mechanized farming to enhance the region’s agricultural output. Agbekoya has also  thrown its support to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.  The group also advocated  the re-adoption of the 2014 National Confab resolutions, restructuring of the country, and a return to regional governance. In a statement issued  in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday, Agbekoya called for the establishment of State Police and the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.  The release was presented by the group’s National President,…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, revealed on Wednesday that the failed bombing incident in Port Harcourt was intended to target the Presidential Hotel.  This revelation was made during a visit by the Senate Committee on Privatization, led by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, to the Government House in Port Harcourt. The governor explained that the bomber aimed to attack the hotel, which was hosting high-profile individuals, including members of the Senate committee.  The goal was to create a justification for imposing a state of emergency in Rivers State. “The idea was to prompt a state of emergency by causing chaos while…

The Oyo State House Of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin, is set to suspend 11 lawmakers for alleged insubordination.  The lawmakers are accused of opposing the House leadership and disregarding directives from Governor Seyi Makinde. Sources within the Assembly disclosed that the decision, backed by Governor Makinde, targets lawmakers primarily serving their first terms.  PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the  lawmakers have been labeled as rebels due to their confrontational stance against the House leadership. The lawmakers facing suspension include: Olorunpoto Oluwafemi Cephas (Oyo East/Oyo West constituency), Olufunke Comforter (Ibadan North constituency I), Abiodun Babalola (Ibadan Northeast constituency…

Daud Olatunji  The Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family of Senator Otunba Kunle Oyero, a distinguished member of Nigeria’s Second Republic Senate.  Senator Oyero, a centenarian, passed away on June 26, 2024, at the age of 100. In a statement from Head, SAS Media, Adetunji Adeteye, Senator Salisu lamented  that the demise of Senator Oyero is not only a profound loss to the people of Ogun Central Senatorial District and Ogun State but also significantly diminishes the ranks of the nation’s elder statesmen, given his remarkable contributions to…

The World Bank has disbursed a substantial $45.5 million to Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) . PLATFORM TIMES reports that the move was part of the Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project, aimed at increasing the enrollment of Nigerians for the National Identification Number (NIN). The project’s implementation report, published by the World Bank, reveals that the funds were disbursed in multiple tranches between December 2021 and April 2024.  The $45.5 million released so far accounts for approximately 10.5% of the total project cost, estimated at $430 million. Despite this financial support, the project has been described as making…

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has sanctioned a substantial budget to bolster the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in its ongoing fight against narcotics.  At the Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr. Lateef Fagbemi, announced the approval of $1.442 million for the procurement of arms, ammunition, and equipment for the NDLEA. This funding is part of a broader strategy to enhance the agency’s operational capabilities.  Dr. Fagbemi revealed that an additional N1.99 billion has been allocated for the purchase of 33 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) compliant vehicles. …

The House of Representatives has issued a stern ultimatum to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Mobile Telephone Network (MTN) and Airtel Nigeria, demanding their presence at a committee hearing or face a subpoena. This directive was announced during a public hearing on a bill aimed at regulating corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria. Chairman of the House Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility, Hon. (Prof) Oby Orogbu, delivered the warning during the hearing held in Abuja.  Orogbu expressed frustration over the repeated failure of MTN and Airtel to honour the committee’s invitations, stressing  the legal obligations under Section 89, 8…

Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos struck out the charges against popular celebrity bartender Pascal Okechukwu, famously known as Cubana Chief Priest, concerning allegations of Naira abuse.  The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, followed the adoption of a settlement agreement between the parties involved. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had initially arraigned Okechukwu on April 17, 2024, on three counts related to the alleged spraying and tampering with Naira notes during a social event held at the Eko Hotel in Lagos.  The charges were grounded on the alleged misuse of Naira notes in denominations of…

The Nigerian Army has denied allegations that it is recruiting Islamic fundamentalists and jihadists. The Army said this while  addressing concerns raised in a viral video circulating on social media.  The video, which depicts an officer allegedly encouraging Muslim young men to join the military to protect and propagate Islam, has been branded as misleading and false by the Army. In a statement released on Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, asserted that the video aims to incite religious tension in the country.  “The Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to an audio-visual recording circulating…