Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday tendered key exhibits in the ongoing N3.08bn money laundering trial of Ali Bello, a nephew to former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, and four others. The anti-graft agency presented its sixth prosecution witness, Femi Remigus, a compliance officer at Zenith Bank Plc, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Bello, who currently serves as the Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Usman Dodo, is standing trial alongside Abba Daudu, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat, and Rashida Bello (still at large). The EFCC had arraigned the defendants on…

Armed bandits have killed at least two persons and abducted over 60 others in a series of coordinated attacks across communities in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The attacks, which residents say are reprisals for the killing of some notorious warlords by security operatives, have left communities in fear and devastation. One of the slain bandit leaders, Kachalla Yellow, also known as Dan Isuhu, was reportedly killed during a botched ambush on Zamfara State Community Protection Guards in Keta about two weeks ago. He died alongside his nephew, the son of another notorious warlord, Adamu Aliero. Residents told…

Amidst the prolonged political tension in Rivers State, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has hosted a dinner for suspended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly currently on a legislative capacity-building tour in the United Kingdom. A video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, on Monday showed the former Rivers governor seated alongside the lawmakers during the dinner. According to Olayinka, the lawmakers, who belong to the pro-Wike faction of the state assembly, are in the UK as part of a five-day training tour focused on enhancing their legislative capabilities.…

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has expressed deep concern over the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings across the state, warning that the security situation is deteriorating. Speaking on Tuesday during a high-level security meeting in Maiduguri attended by top military commanders, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders, Zulum described the recent wave of attacks as a major setback in the fight against insurgency. “Renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities almost on a daily basis without confrontation signal that Borno State is losing ground,” Zulum stated. The governor specifically lamented the dislodgement of military formations in…

An Abuja High Court on Tuesday awarded N100 million in general damages against Louisville Girls Secondary School, Gwagwalada, for negligence of duty of care which led to the death of a student. Justice Sylvanus Oriji delivered the judgment in a suit filed by Ifeanyi Ikpeatusim, who accused the school of negligence that resulted in the death of his nine-year-old daughter, Kamzie. In the suit marked CV/1738/18, Mr Ikpeatusim alleged that the school’s failure to provide adequate medical attention after Kamzie fell ill shortly after her admission led to her untimely death. Kamzie was admitted as a boarding student in September…

The Defence Headquarters on Monday refuted claims that military generals paid ransom to secure the release of a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Maharazu Tsiga (retd.), who was recently freed after 56 days in captivity. Tsiga, alongside several residents, was abducted by suspected bandits on February 5 at his residence in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State. His release last Wednesday followed sustained military operations in the North-West. A retired general was recently reported to have alleged that serving and retired military officers pooled resources to pay ransom for Tsiga’s freedom. But the military…

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has dismissed as false and politically motivated, reports linking him to a coalition of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki described the report as a “jaundiced opinion” and a “fabrication” aimed at misrepresenting his political stance and creating confusion among the public. The former Kwara State governor clarified that he is not part of any ongoing coalition talks, contrary to claims circulating in a recent media publication. He accused opposition elements in his home state of orchestrating the rumour,…

Feyisayo Ogunbiyi In response to the recent easing of tensions following communal clashes, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has announced a reduction in the daily curfew hours imposed on Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin-Osun communities. Effective immediately, the curfew, previously set at 17 hours, will now be enforced for 12 hours daily. This decision was conveyed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, who highlighted the improving situation in the affected areas. Governor Adeleke expressed optimism about the gradual return to peace, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of traditional rulers and community members in achieving this milestone. “I…

There are ways of giving advice which may not put you, as the speaker, in an unnecessary predicament. If it’s truly a piece of advice, it must not sound imperative. Below are some likely ways of giving advice harmlessly. If I were you, I’d not talk. I think you should/ought to seek medical intervention. Why don’t you/Why not/Could you maybe ask him to help?If you want my advice/If you want to know what I think, I’d rather you ask you to quit. I’d advise you to write the letter now. They are just a few ways of giving advice. You’re…

… 13 Fake IJMB Cases Under Probe The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has uncovered at least 585 forged Advanced Level (A/Level) certificates so far in 2025, raising alarm over the increasing sophistication of admission fraud and warning tertiary institutions against bypassing the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). The Registrar of the Board, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, disclosed this during a virtual meeting with JAMB staff held in preparation for the 2025 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the main UTME. Oloyede, who condemned the alarming rate of certificate falsification, said the discovery of the 585 fake credentials was made…