Author: Platform Times Newspaper

In a landmark decision, the FCT High Court in Maitama has sentenced Chika Adionye, a 42-year-old businessman based in Abuja, to life imprisonment for the rape of two minors. The victims, both cousins, were 7 and 8 years old at the time of the heinous crime. Adionye’s arrest in 2016 followed a petition by the mother of one of the victims, leading to the intervention of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). The arrest took place at Kara Majiji Community on Airport Road, a suburb of the FCT. Adionye, taking advantage of his wife’s…

In a pivotal development, the Supreme Court has scheduled the hearing for the Kano State governorship dispute appeal, slated for this Thursday. Governor Kabir Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) is contesting the decision of the Appeal Court, which affirmed the tribunal’s ruling that unseated him, proclaiming Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the victor in the March 11 governorship election. Barrister Bashir Tudun Waziri, the legal representative for Governor Yusuf, verified that the hearing notice has been officially conveyed to the governor’s legal team. The crux of the matter lies in the Appeal…

In a disconcerting turn of events at Imam Wali Maternity Hospital in Kano State, a pregnant woman found herself delivering her baby inside a taxi, sparking outrage and leading to the suspension of hospital security guards. The Kano State government took decisive action against the negligence of duty, suspending the security guards attached to the hospital. The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Mansur Nagoda, confirmed the suspension, highlighting the severity of the situation. The incident unfolded when the patient’s husband desperately sought assistance, knocking on the hospital doors, only to find the security guards absent.…

Daud Olatunji  In a grand ceremony held at the University of Lagos last Friday, December 15, 2023, Wema Bank celebrated the outstanding achievements of two female customers, Muritadho Shakiroh Opeyemi and Chiamaka Judith Ugonna, who emerged as the grand prize winners in the 5th monthly draw of the Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo. The bank awarded a substantial N1 million to each of the winners as part of the promotion aimed at rewarding loyal customers. The 5 for 5 Promo, designed to appreciate and empower customers, saw Wema Bank distribute a total of N9,000,000 in cash rewards to 120…

Daud Olatunji In a landmark peace meeting orchestrated by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has been mandated to re-present the 2024 budget to the full House of Assembly. The peace talks, attended by key stakeholders including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, former governor Sir Peter Odili, and Vice President Kashim Shettima, aimed at resolving the longstanding political crisis in the state. The core resolutions from the meeting included an immediate withdrawal of all legal actions related to the political impasse in Rivers State. Additionally, the impeachment…

 In a startling revelation, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) disclosed that over 1,000 Nigerians have fallen victim to scams involving fraudulent job opportunities in the United Kingdom.  The Chief of Mission, Laurent De Boeck, highlighted the severity of the situation during a news conference held on Monday in Abuja. Boeck expressed deep concern over the plight of those affected, revealing that some individuals lost substantial amounts, up to $10,000 each, in their desperate pursuit of securing foreign employment. He explained that these victims were now stranded in the UK, unable to return due to financial constraints, while others faced…

 Pope Francis has formally approved the blessing of same-sex couples within the Catholic Church, signaling a significant shift in Vatican policy. The approval comes with the release of a new document from the Vatican’s doctrine office, which elaborates on the pope’s earlier communication with two conservative cardinals in October. The document, unveiled on Monday, builds upon Pope Francis’s preliminary response, suggesting that blessings for same-sex couples could be granted under specific circumstances without conflating the ritual with the sacrament of marriage. Reiterating this condition, the document emphasizes that marriage remains a sacred union between a man and a woman, while…

In a scathing release on Monday, Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for what he deemed the “unjust detention” of Dr. Olu Agunloye, a former Minister of Power. Soyinka expressed strong disapproval of the arrest, particularly in connection to the Mambilla Power Project, labeling it as questionable and a contempt of sense and justice. The seasoned elder statesman did not mince words as he called for the immediate release of Agunloye or, as an alternative, the arrest and detention of all those implicated in what he referred to as the “mammoth scam” surrounding…

Daud Olatunji Last week, the Lagos State Water Corporation sent shockwaves through its workforce as it terminated the employment of 450 casual workers.  The affected employees were reportedly served with termination letters on Tuesday and given a brief ultimatum to surrender all government property in their possession. The move has been met with strong criticism from the Campaign for Democratic and Workers Rights (CDWR), labeling it as insensitive, particularly in the midst of an ongoing economic crisis. In a joint statement issued by the National Chairperson, Comrade Rufus Olusesan, and the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Chinedu Bosah, CDWR expressed deep…

In a significant operation, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has made a major breakthrough in its fight against counterfeit goods, particularly adulterated alcoholic beverages, in Eziukwu Market (Cemetery Market) Aba, Abia State. NAFDAC’s Director General, Moji Adeyeye, announced the successful raid, revealing that 10 suspects were apprehended and an estimated N750 million worth of fake and substandard products, including wines, soft drinks, and consumables, were seized. The operation, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, followed weeks of intelligence gathering to dismantle what Adeyeye referred to as the activities of “merchants of death.” The…