Residents of Owerri municipality have threatened to move all the abandoned heaps of refuse to the major roads if government fails to evacuate them within 24 hours.

The Qatar Football Association is excited to officially announce that Doha will play host to the reigning European and world football champions, Spain, and the current South American champions, Uruguay, in an international friendly match at Khalifa International Stadium on 6 February 2013 at 21:00.

THE Ogun Police, yesterday, arraigned a 50-year-old man, Alao Akala before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court for allegedly biting off the left ear of a journalist, Saheed Ganiyu.

Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, yesterday, warned Nigerians not to patronize the drugs announced by Professor Isaiah Ibeh of University of Benin, UNIBEN, as cure for HIV/AIDS.

Ethiopia achieved the rare feat of conceding five goals in a qualifier and still reaching the Africa Cup of Nations.

One Salisu Mohammed, 23, of Nasarawa Gwong, yesterday, appeared before an Upper Area Court at Kasuwar-Nama, Jos, for raping a 6-year-old girl. The Police Prosecutor, Mr Gokwat Ibrahim, said the father of the victim (names withheld) reported the matter to Nasarawa Gwong police station on Dec. 24, 2012, same day the offence was committed.

THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, is a towering representation of impunity with which government agencies act. Something needs to be done about NNPC, and quickly too, to make the point that no individual or organisation is above the law.

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

LAGOS—THE Patriots, a group of eminent persons, Thursday, criticised President Goodluck Jonathan for the way he is handling high profile corruption cases in the country.

…Over printing of polymer currency notes *To be charged to court with other officials
ABUJA—Former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, was Thursday arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and the Police were, yesterday, locked in a battle of words over the alleged shabby investigation into the murder of his private secretary, Olaitan Oyerinde.

Former Nigeria international, Waidi Akanni was not impressed by the Super Eagles in their warm up match against Cape Verde and he did not hide his feelings when he chatted with our correspondent in a telephone interview on Thursday.

President Goodluck Jonathan pledged, yesterday that until the expiration of his tenure, he would continue to work towards the economic and political empowerment of Nigerian women.

Enugu State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, gave the assurance that Governor Sullivan Chime, who had spent 112 days on vacation overseas, would soon return to the state, saying the current dusts being raised about his whereabout was uncalled for.

THE remains of 54 year old commercial bus driver Isaac Popoola, allegedly killed by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, at Brown Bus- stop in Oshodi area of Lagos, was yesterday buried amid lamentation by sympathisers.