Michael Ojuroye Initiative (Ngo)

Measures aimed at reviving India’s slowing economy are set to be announced by the country’s new government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in its federal budget on Thursday. India’s economy has slowed markedly, growing by 4.7 per cent in the 2013-14 financial year which marked the second year of sub-5 per cent growth. Modi’s government has promised reforms aimed at creating jobs. The budget is also expected to contain measures designed to slow inflation. The government has also spoken about its plans to introduce a general sales tax, simplify taxation, encourage foreign investment and speed up approvals for major business projects. A government survey, published on Wednesday, said the country’s fiscal situation was worse than it appeared. The annual government Economic Survey on India’s economy heightened speculation that Thursday’s budget will give a higher, more realistic fiscal deficit target for the current financial year than the 4.1 per cent of gross domestic product ...

A Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Wednesday slammed a N2m bail on a landlord charged with defiling his tenant’s seven-year-old daughter. The accused, John Ogunsola, 40, who resides at 61, Olatunde St., Oke Ira, Ogba, Lagos, is standing trial on a count. He, however, pleaded not guilty. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Yewande Aje-Afunwa, who noted that the offence could attract life imprisonment, ordered that Ogunsola should also provide two sureties in like sum. “The sureties must own residential property in Lagos State, be recognised community or religious leaders. They must show evidence of tax payment and gainful employment,” she directed. The chief magistrate added that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused. She adjourned the case to July 7 for hearing. Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Peter Nwangwu, told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 27 at his residence. He said the accused took advantage of the minor and sexually assaulted her. “Ogunso...

Canadian pop star Justin Bieber has pleaded no contest to misdemeanour vandalism in connection with the egging of his neighbors home and has been sentenced to two years’ probation. California’s court also ordered him to pay $80,900 (£47,160) in damages, serve five days of community service and complete an anger management programme. Bieber, 20, was not present in court for the arraignment. The singer faces two other criminal cases in Florida and Toronto. “Justin is glad to get this matter resolved and behind him,” Bieber’s representatives said in a statement after the verdict by Los Angeles Superior Court in Van Nuys. “He will continue to move forward focusing on his career and his music.” Investigators searched Bieber’s Calabasas home in California in January for evidence after the egging apparently caused serious damage. One of the singer’s friends was arrested on drug possession charges after that search. The LA County Sheriff’s Office say they were looking for surveillance v...