Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The police on Monday arrested Tajudeen Baruwa hours after he led members of his faction to take over the national secretariat of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Abuja. Baruwa was reportedly apprehended shortly after he and his supporters stormed the union’s headquarters in the early hours of the day, dislodging a rival faction loyal to Ayinde Akinsanya. Sources said the operation, which led to the forceful takeover of the secretariat, heightened tensions within the union, already embroiled in a protracted leadership crisis. The NURTW has been sharply divided since 2024, following a fierce power struggle between Baruwa…

There was tension in parts of Katsina State after officials of the state Hisbah Commission reportedly shaved the hair of several young men during a recent enforcement exercise. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the incident occurred in Sabuwa Local Government Area, where operatives of the Islamic police carried out the action as part of activities marking the just-concluded Sallah celebrations. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Hisbah Commission said the operation, codenamed “Operation Happy Sallah,” was conducted across various parts of the town to ensure orderliness during the festivities. The exercise was led by the Sabuwa Divisional Commander, Malam Idris…

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday sentenced former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Anamekwe Nwabuoku, to a cumulative 72 years’ imprisonment for laundering N868.4 million. Trial judge, James Omotosho, in his judgment, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had successfully proved the charges against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt. Nwabuoku was prosecuted on a nine-count amended charge bordering on money laundering and fraud involving N868.4 million. The anti-graft agency told the court that the former top government official conspired with several firms, including Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited, Turge Global Investment Limited, Laptev Bridge Limited, and…

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday raided properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, taking over his residences and offices in an operation his camp has described as unlawful and politically motivated. The development reportedly occurred shortly after a visit by former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, to Malami’s residence, although there was no official confirmation linking both events. In a statement issued by Malami’s Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, the former AGF’s office accused the anti-graft agency of acting without legal backing and in disregard of an ongoing court process. The statement…

A Magistrate Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday granted bail to a man, Olalekan, standing trial over the alleged death of a female National Youth Service Corps member linked to an unsafe abortion. The prosecution had told the court that the defendant impregnated the deceased and allegedly attempted to terminate the pregnancy by procuring abortion drugs for her. According to the prosecutor, the drugs administered to the victim reportedly led to her death. The defendant was subsequently arraigned on charges bordering on conspiracy and related offences, said to be contrary to Sections 516 and 230 of the Criminal…

… Dangote, NECA, NLC, LCCI Warn Of Worsening Economic Hardship …Petrol Hits Record Highs As Global Crisis Fuels Inflation Daud Olatunji Nigeria’s economy is under renewed strain as the ongoing Middle East conflict continues to trigger global oil price volatility, with stakeholders warning of imminent business closures, job losses and worsening living conditions across the country. The warning came amid fresh concerns from business leaders and labour groups, as rising fuel costs and inflation bite harder on households and enterprises already grappling with economic pressures. President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, cautioned that if the crisis persists, Nigeria and…

There is palpable tension within the Federal Executive Council following a directive by President Bola Tinubu mandating political appointees nursing elective ambitions to resign on or before March 31, in compliance with the Electoral Act. Multiple sources within the Presidency said  that the development has unsettled several ministers and top aides, many of whom are reportedly eyeing governorship and legislative positions ahead of the 2027 general elections. Findings revealed that the President has also declined requests for private meetings from some of the appointees seeking his endorsement before stepping down from their current roles. The move, insiders said, is part…

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has declared that the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, played a pivotal role in ensuring the emergence of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the embattled politician deserves better treatment while in detention. In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights group said El-Rufai was instrumental in mobilising northern political support that helped secure Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election. MURIC maintained that its advocacy for a southern presidency, particularly a Yoruba Muslim candidate, informed its engagement with key political actors ahead…

Daud Olatunji BudgIT, a civic technology organisation, has raised concerns over widespread opacity in Nigeria’s local government financial management, revealing that only 10 states currently provide publicly accessible budgets for their local government areas (LGAs). The organisation disclosed this in a report titled “The Missing Tier: Mapping Local Government Budget Transparency in Nigeria,” noting that six states publish partial or outdated LGA budget information, while 18 states do not publish any at all. According to BudgIT, despite local government finances being drawn from statutory allocations in the federation account, most of the 774 LGAs in the country still operate without…

…Says Middle East Crisis Could Worsen Fuel, Transport Costs …Tasks Govs With Implementing Citizen-Focused Interventions Daud Olatunji President Bola Tinubu has warned state governors that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East could trigger a fresh wave of inflation in Nigeria, urging them to roll out additional incentives to cushion the impact on citizens. Tinubu gave the warning on Sunday while hosting Vice-President Kashim Shettima and 23 state governors at his Lagos residence during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. The President said escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran were already posing risks to global energy prices, with potential ripple…