Author: Platform Times Newspaper

An Enugu South Magistrate Court, presided over by Justice E.D. Onwu, has sentenced Hon. Bright Ngene, the Labour Party (LP) candidate for Enugu South Urban state Constituency, to seven years’ imprisonment.  PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the case dates back to 2017, when Ngene and two others were arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force, Enugu Command, in a matter involving community funds worth about N15 million.  This case, which had been dormant, was revived after Ngene’s victory in the March 18, 2023, general elections. Ngene’s win over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sam Ngene, led to a contested election result…

No fewer than 103 Nigerians who were deported from Turkey have arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Friday, June 28, 2024.  The deportees, who landed on a Southwind Airlines flight with registration number TC-GRB at approximately 6:45 pm, expressed deep frustration and anger over their treatment in the European country. The deportees disembarked at the pilgrims’ wing of the airport, where they were received by a coordinated team from multiple government agencies.  Representatives from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the…

Former Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, has called on the Federal Government to suspend monthly allocations to states where governors establish caretaker committees for Local Government (LG) administrations.  Ogbeh said  the illegality of caretaker committees, referencing a Supreme Court ruling that deemed such appointments unlawful.  He suggested that funds should be withheld from states employing these committees until they comply with the legal requirement of elected LG administrations. Ogbeh aired his concerns during an appearance on “Inside Sources with Laolu Akande,” a socio-political program broadcast on Channels Television.  The 76-year-old ex-minister argued that the use of caretaker committees undermines the…

Aisha Ademigbuji The purpose of starting this column, as I mentioned in my first article, is to improve the reading culture for everyone. To encourage us to pick up a book and read something new at least once in a while.I remember having a conversation with one of my old friends who used to be an avid reader. Shortly after she gave birth, her reading frequency started dwindling until it was non-existent. Yes, we can all agree that taking care of a newborn is a full-time job; you won’t even have time for anything else because your focus will be…

The management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has been restrained from disconnecting the electricity supply to the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo. This, according to the hospital followed the bogus and unjustifiable monthly bills often brought to the state owned hospital. The Board chairman of the hospital, Barrister Niyi Owolade narrated several mediation steps the authorities of the teaching hospital had taken in order to ensure that the development did not degenerate to a face off. Owolade said the management of the hospital took the decision due to the incessant threats by IBEDC to disconnect the elctricity supply to the…

Daud Olatunji Renowned Islamic cleric, Prof. Imam Taofiq Adesina Abdulazeez has called on the Soun of Ogbomoso,Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye,and other prominent figures in the community to cherish and support their Grand Imam, Dr. Taliat Yunus Ayilara.  The cleric stressed  the importance of solidarity and cooperation for the overall benefit of Ogbomoso land and the Muslim community across South West Nigeria. Prof. Abdulazeez in his message title “Message To Ogbomoso Muslims”, extended his congratulations to the Grand Imam on the successful performance of this year’s Hajj and his safe return.  “On behalf of all Muslims of good will at home…

In the wake of mounting social unrest across Africa, with Kenya as the latest epicenter, a stark warning has been issued to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to underestimate the simmering frustrations of Nigerians.  Former Deputy Chief of Defence Administration at the Defence Intelligence Agency(DIA), retired Commodore Kunle Olawumi, said this  on Thursday. Olawunmi who is  now a lecturer at Chrisland University, Abeokuta,  highlighted  Nigeria’s precarious societal conditions and the potential for widespread insurrection if immediate action isn’t taken. Speaking at a public lecture titled “The Nexus Between Governance and Societal Needs and Peace in Nigeria,” attended by academics and…

Daud Olatunji The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has announced the dismissal of three personnel, including a Controller of Corrections, following a thorough review of misconduct cases. This was  disclosed in a statement by NCoS spokesperson Abubakar Umar on Thursday.  PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the  Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board conducted the review, addressing a range of offences such as gross negligence of duty, absence without leave, trafficking in illicit items, general inefficiency, and falsification of results among its personnel. “The Nigerian Correctional Service, in a bid to maintain a high standard of discipline and professionalism, has reviewed…

The Kaduna State Police Command has announced the arrest of a notorious spiritual leader, a 25-year-old female gunrunner, and several other suspects involved in various crimes across the state.  The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Ali Dabigi, revealed that the operation led to the apprehension of Mallam Ali Bello, a 47-year-old marabout. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that Bello is known for preparing charms for a deadly bandit kingpin named Boderi and other bandits operating within the North-West Zone. His arrest occurred while he was in the process of preparing a charm for a bandit, Usman Ibrahim, at his shrine located…

The League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State has condemned an alleged attack on Alfa Sulaiman Abdul Azeez and his family by Pastor Busari Stephen and his associates in Iseyin, Oyo State. The association in a press release signed by the President-General of the association, Shaykh Sikirullahi Babalola, described the incident as a “targeted aggression and violence against Alfa Sulaiman and possibly the Muslim community in Iseyin.”  Shaykh Babalola  expressed shock and denounced the attack unequivocally. The alleged assault, which reportedly took place during the Ileya Festival on Sunday, June 16, 2024, was said to be orchestrated by Pastor…