Newscast - Africa

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu signed the Administration of Criminal Justice (Amendment) Law (ACJL) 2021.
The ACJL was first passed in Lagos State in 2007 and amended in 2011 to ensure the fundamental rights of suspects and persons that come into contact with the justice system, as enshrined in the constitution are protected.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s assent to the bill is in a bid to further strengthen the justice system, promote the rights of victims and suspects, as well as address the issue of delay in the administration of criminal justice in Lagos State.

The US Consulate General opened a Window on America in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
Windows on America provide a venue for the Embassy and Consulate outreach activities, offering a meeting place for U.S. Government alumni, and a host for visiting speakers and other events that promote a better understanding of the US.
Hosted at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, the Osogbo Window on America will serve as a community resource centre for accurate and current information about the political, economic, cultural, educational, and social life in the United States.

President Muhammadu Buhari will present the 2022 budget estimate to a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege made the announcement while presiding over the plenary as the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, was absent.

A senior official says the United Arab Emirates is trying to manage long-running rivalries with Iran and Turkey through dialogue to avoid any new confrontations in the region as the Gulf state hones in on its economy post-COVID-19.
Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, says there was uncertainty about the United States’ commitment to the region and concern about a looming Cold War between Washington and Beijing.
Gargash says they will observe in the coming period what really is going on with regards to America’s footprint in the region.

Singapore’s parliament is debating controversial legislation that the government says is necessary to counter alleged foreign interference, but opposition parties, rights groups, social media platforms and others worry is too broad in scope.
The law will give authorities sweeping powers, including compelling internet, social media platforms and website operators to provide user information, block content and remove applications.
The government would also be empowered to designate organisations or individuals politically significant persons if their work is perceived to be directed towards a political end in Singapore, without allowing them an opportunity to challenge the designation.

Facebook has dismissed as ludicrous suggestions it contributed to the US Capitol riot on January 6, a charge the social media giant expects will be levelled in an upcoming whistle-blower interview.
Facebook’s vice president of policy and global affairs, Nick Clegg pushed back at the assertion its platforms are toxic for teens, days after a tense recent congressional hearing in which US lawmakers grilled the company over its effect on the mental health of young users.
The New York Times reported that Clegg sought to preempt the whistle-blower by penning a 1,500-word memo to staff alerting them of the misleading accusations.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud says Saudi Arabia held discussions with regional rival Tehran last month as talks to ease tensions continue under Iran’s conservative President Ebrahim Raisi.
He says these discussions are still in the exploratory phase, and we hope that they lay the foundation to address issues between the two sides.
Prince Faisal did not disclose the location of the meeting or the level of representation, while Borrell welcomed the talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The investigation published reveals that Jordan’s King Abdullah II is among dozens of world leaders to have hidden millions of dollars in offshore tax havens and secretly bought luxury homes around the globe.
The documents show how King Abdullah II created a network of offshore companies and tax havens to amass a $100m property empire from Malibu, California to Washington, DC and London.
The report says Abdullah also owns three luxury apartments in a complex in Washington, DC with panoramic views of the Potomac River, and a house in Ascot, one of England’s most expensive towns, along with multimillion-dollar apartments in central London.

Ecuador’s president Guillermo Lasso is insisting all of his investments are legal after the Pandora Papers revealed he operated through 14 offshore companies, most of them based in Panama.
El Universo newspaper reports that the companies were closed only after the leftist government of Rafael Correa passed a law banning candidates from being the beneficial owners of companies located in tax havens.
The president says 10 of the offshore companies mentioned were already inactive, while he denies involvement with the other four.
He says all his investments, in and out of Ecuador, are legal.

US President Joe Biden congratulated Japan’s new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, saying the historic partnership between the two nations will help them face the world’s ongoing challenges.
Biden says the US-Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the world, and looks forward to working closely with Prime Minister Kishida to strengthen cooperation.
Biden says the historic partnership between the two democracies will continue to be a critical asset as they work together to take on the challenges.