Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 12-count charge against Saleh Mamman, a former Minister of Power, over an alleged N33.8 billion fraud.  The Commission filed the charges  in the Federal High Court in Abuja,  The EFCC’s charge sheet, accuses Mamman of conspiring with officials from the Ministry of Power and several private companies to embezzle funds meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Projects.  According to the EFCC, Mamman and his co-defendants used various schemes to indirectly divert N33,804,830,503.73 from the projects’ budgets.  The funds were reportedly intended to develop these crucial energy infrastructure projects…

The House of Representatives on Thursday, resolved to establish an ad-hoc committee to investigate the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) regarding the conduct of the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.  This decision followed the adoption of a motion presented by Mr. Mohammed Bio, the representative of Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency, Kwara State, during the plenary session held on Tuesday. The motion, titled “Urgent Need to Investigate the National Hajj Commission and the Federal Capital Territory Administration Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, their Agents, and Sub-Agents over Shoddy Arrangement and Treatment of Nigerian Pilgrims in the 2024 Hajj Exercise,” was brought to the floor…

In a landmark ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds intended for Local Government (LG) administrations. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the ruling is expected to bring significant changes to the financial autonomy and operational efficiency of the 774 local government councils in Nigeria. Delivering the lead judgement, Justice Emmanuel Agim emphasised that the refusal of state governments to grant financial independence to local governments has persisted for over two decades.  He pointed out that local governments have been deprived of their rightful funds by state governors acting on their behalf,…

Daud Olatunji In a landmark judgment delivered on July 10, 2024, the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) found Nigeria guilty of violating the human rights of Obianuju Catherine Udeh, Perpetual Kamsi, and Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka. PLATFORM TIMES reports that the  ruling concluded that Nigeria breached several articles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights during the #EndSARS protests at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State on October 20 and 21, 2020. The court identified violations of Articles 1, 4, 6, 9, 10, and 11, which encompass the right to…

Daud Olatunji The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development in Ogun State, Tunji Odunlami, has emphasized the crucial role of town planners in government initiatives to ensure the creation of sustainable human living environments conducive to living, working, and raising families.  Odunlami made these remarks on Wednesday during the 25th edition of the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Program (MCPDP) of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners (NITP) held in Abeokuta. Odunlami  submitted that for governments’ projects to be sustainable, professional town planners must be involved. He however stressed the  need for town planners to exhibit diligence, competence, and transparency…

The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria (NTRCN),  Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has extended his heartfelt congratulations to the new Olubadan of Ibadan Land, Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin. The message followed the  coronation and the presentation of the Staff of Office by the Governor of Oyo State,  Seyi Makinde, on Friday, July 12, 2024. In a statement released by the Sultan’s media team on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Sultan Abubakar, who also serves as the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), emphasized the historical and strategic significance of Ibadan.…

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has openly mocked his successor, Governor Uba Sani, by sharing photographs depicting major areas of Kaduna littered with dirt.  The images, initially uploaded on X (formerly known as Twitter) by a user identified as Imran, showed major roads in Kaduna turned into dumping grounds shortly after Sani’s inauguration. Imran’s post carried a scathing caption: “They thought we were kidding when we said that in just a few months, Governor Uba Sani had changed Kaduna completely.   This sarcastic comment alluded to the deteriorating cleanliness and waste management issues in the state under the new administration.…

A  group of farmers in Ondo State, operating under the umbrella of the Oluwa Forest Reserve Farmers, has taken the state government to court over the alleged illegal sale of their farmlands.  The disputed land, spanning 2000.482 hectares within the Oluwa Forest Reserve in Odigbo Local Government Area, was reportedly sold to a foreign company, leading to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy and the subsequent displacement of thousands of farmers. The suit, filed at the Ondo State High Court in Ondo town, names the Ondo State Government, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the state Ministry…

Two brothers, Ibrahim Yusuf, 62, and Samaila Yusuf, 48, have been remanded in prison custody for allegedly murdering their 85-year-old father, Yusuf Kwada.  The brothers confessed to the crime, accusing their father of practising witchcraft.  The tragic incident took place in Zah village, Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The Chief Magistrate Court in Yola, presided over by Bilkisu Tijjaji, ordered the remand of the brothers on Wednesday.  During the court session, the brothers admitted to killing their father by striking him on the head with a stick. According to the Police First Information Report (FIR), the incident…

Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has revealed that President Bola Tinubu is largely inaccessible to key government officials, including some of his ministers.  Ndume stated this  during an interview with BBC Hausa on Tuesday. Ndume expressed frustration over the federal government’s apparent inaction in addressing the severe food scarcity and escalating cost of living that are currently afflicting many Nigerians.  He noted that members of the National Assembly have been unable to meet with President Tinubu to discuss the critical issues affecting their constituencies. “The major problem with this government is that its doors are closed, to the extent…