Although, I have read about the victimization of journalists and the repressive attacks on press freedom, last week added to my first-hand experience of the travails of journalists, particularly some of us who have decided to ply the dreaded route of investigative journalism. It was hectic journeying to two states…

Omoniyi Ilesanmi spent three months on the sickbed where he incurred N393,000 to treat himself of arthritis - the inflammation of one or more joints, causing pains and stiffness, which worsens with age. He served the Osun government for over 30 years. “In 2013, I was on the hospital bed…

The Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, on Monday, granted an ex-parte injunction restraining the Kwara State Government from further demolition of late Olusola Saraki's property. PREMIUM TIMES reported the controversial demolition of the building, also known as Ile Arugbo, last Thursday. Ile Arugbo served as the political home of…

The University of Ghana, after investigation, has largely exonerated the two lecturers indicted in the BBC documentary which exposed the menace of sex-for-favours in tertiary institutions. The documentary released in October 2019 focused on how some academics target the most vulnerable female students – those struggling with studies, seeking admission or in…

Last week, amid the new year celebration, some events happened that generated controversies. Amongst the controversial events are the appointment of a former mid-level civil servant to head an electrification agency and the demolition of Olusola Saraki's home in Ilorin, Kwara State. PREMIUM TIME reviews some of the top stories…

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said justice would prevail in reaction to the demolition of his father's 'home' carried out by the Kwara State Government. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the demolition of the property commenced in the early hours of Thursday. According to witnesses, the building, popularly called Ile…

The Kwara State Government has defended the demolition of a house belonging to late Olusola Saraki in Ilorin, the state capital. Murtala Olanrewaju, the Commissioner for Communications in Kwara, also said security officials thwarted the "attempts by some persons to provoke government’s agents on lawful duty" during the demolition. PREMIUM…

The Kwara State Government on Thursday commenced the demolition of the late Olusola Saraki’s home in Ilorin. According to eyewitness accounts, the building, popularly called Ile Arugbo, was demolished at about 4:00 a.m. This came after the security operatives dispersed protesters who kept vigil to prevent the demolition. It was…

The presidency on Monday reiterated its stance that President Muhammadu Buhari will not seek a third term in office. Garba Shehu, Mr Buhari's spokesperson, said this in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES. "All and every claim that is made that suggest President Muhammadu Buhari will stand for a third…

The U.S. government has added Nigeria to a "Special Watch List (SWL)" of countries that have engaged in or tolerated “severe violations of religious freedom." This is coming at a time many Nigerians and the international community have criticised the Nigerian government for its serial violations of court orders and…

Read the first part here. Even though the school authorities claimed that handouts have been banned in the school and that lecturers can only sell recommended textbooks, an investigation by this newspaper shows that many of the so-called textbooks are without International Standard Book Number (ISBN). The ISBN is a…

The Oluwo of Iwo, Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has announced a break up with his queen, Chanel Chin. The controversial monarch, on Sunday, declared that Chanel Chin be addressed as an ex-queen. According to a press statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES by the monarch's spokesperson, Alli Ibraheem, the separation was borne out…

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Muhammad, has called for the amendment of the constitution to accommodate more aspects of the Shari’a law. Mr Muhammad said this on Thursday at the 20th Annual Judges Conference that held at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The theme of the two-day conference was…

The Osun State High Court on Wednesday ordered the Obalufe of Ife, Idowu Adediwura, to relinquish his office. The Obalufe is the second-in-command to the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi. The court also directed the Ooni to, within 21 days, fill the stool with a candidate from the Aga Ruling…

The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has condemned the State Security Service (SSS) over its attempt on Friday to rearrest the publisher of Sahara Reporters online news platform, Omoyele Sowore, in a courtroom. The coalition is an alliance of media and civil society organisations, including Premium Times…

In a protest against the treatment of Omoyele Sowore, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism has postponed the presentation of an award to the Nigerian Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo. According to Motunrayo Alaka, the centre's director, on Monday, the postponement was in protest against the repression of freedom of…

Following a PREMIUM TIMES' investigation into alleged corrupt practices at the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Binta Oloyede has been removed as the Head of Mass Communication department. This newspaper published the first part of the two-series investigation, which focused on illegal fees charged by the lecturers and associations. For students of…

In a recent interview, the spokesperson of Federal Polytechnic Offa, Olayinka Iroye, announced that the school authorities had eradicated all forms of corruption and that no one sells handouts to students no matter the condition. “Management of the Federal Polytechnic Offa headed by Dr Lateef Olatunji has eradicated all forms…

At least, seven members of President Muhammadu Buhari's cabinet, who are lawyers, have not publicly condemned the illegal detention of an activist, Omoyele Sowore, by the State Security Service (SSS). Majority of them have simply kept mum, publicly, on the matter. They have also refused to publicly comment on Friday's…

At least, six members of President Muhammadu Buhari's cabinet, who are lawyers, have not publicly condemned the illegal detention of an activist, Omoyele Sowore, by the State Security Service (SSS). Majority of them have simply kept mum, publicly, on the matter. They have also refused to publicly comment on Friday's…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) chapter, on Wednesday, suspended its 17-day-old lecture boycott. The union embarked on a boycott of lectures on Monday, November 18, due to non-payment of salaries owed. In a telephone interview with the ASUU Chairman, LAUTECH chapter, Biodun Olaniran,…

Abdulrahman Habeebulah, an Islamic cleric who allegedly raped a 16-year-old, has been re-arrested after his trial was initially stalled. In July, PREMIUM TIMES published an exclusive report on the rape of the teenage girl who attended the cleric's Qu'ranic school in Ede, Osun State. The culprit did not deny the…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) branch, has suspended all academic activities pending the payment of their unpaid arrears. Lectures for the new academic session were billed to start on Monday. The lecturers' union had earlier issued a 10-day ultimatum to the university…

A PREMIUM TIMES journalist on Saturday caught a supporter of the Peoples Demcratic Party (PDP) voting multiple times at the polling unit of the opposition party's candidate, Musa Wada. Mr Wada voted at Polling Unit 001 in Ward 4, Odu- Ogbeyaga area of Dekina Local Government Area at about 10:15…

The magistrate court in Aba has adjourned the trial of the suspected kidnappers of a toddler, Chismidiri Obilor. In September, PREMIUM TIMES reported how some of the suspects were allegedly shielded from trial four years after the crime was perpetrated. The court was to sit on the November 7 but…