The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has said that President Bola Tinubu has done his best for Nigeria.

Akpabio made this known on Wednesday during his welcome address at the 2025 budget presentation.

He said, “The President has done his best for Nigeria. Your Excellency, your leadership shines like a beacon of hope, illuminating our path forward in these challenging times.

“As you profoundly stated, ‘A nation is built not merely by the bricks and mortar of its structures but by the resilience and determination of its people.’

“This truth resonates deeply, reminding us that the spirit of our citizens defines our nation, not just the edifices we construct.”

He added, “Under your administration, we have witnessed remarkable strides in economic reforms aimed at enhancing our nation’s stability and growth.

“The courageous decision to remove fuel subsidies, though challenging, showcases your unwavering commitment to redirecting resources to critical sectors such as education and healthcare.

“Your collaboration with the Central Bank has cultivated an environment ripe for investment, and your focus on infrastructure development reflects a visionary commitment to improving the connectivity that fuels our economy. No community in Nigeria is currently under the siege of Boko
Haram,” Akpabio said boastfully.

SOCIETY REPORTERS reports that the President arrived at the House of Representatives Chamber at exactly 12:10 pm, where the event was being held.

In addition to lawmakers, those present at the chamber included Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje.

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, December 16, 2024, re-arraigned a former Managing Director of the defunct Bank PHB Plc, Francis Atuche, on a nine-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony and forgery before Justice O. O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

Atuche alongside Nnosiri Joachim, a.k.a Ifeanyi, and Uguru Onyike had first been  arraigned before Justice Habeeb Abiru, who has now been upgraded as a Judge of the Court of Appeal.

The case consequently started de novo before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, who has now been transferred to another division of the Lagos High Court.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Mr. Francis Atuche, Nnosiri Joachim (a.k.a Ifeanyi) and Uguru Onyike, on or about 4th day of March, 2013, in Lagos, with the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud conspired to commit felony to wit: forgery of a document titled: “BOARD RESOLUTION” of Future View Securities Limited dated 17th December, 2007.”

Another count reads: “ Nnosiri Joachim (a.k.a Ifeanyi), on or about 4th day of March, 2013 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, knowingly and fraudulently used a false document titled “Board Resolution of Trajek Nigeria Limited” dated 15th December 2007, which you purported to have been duly signed by one Elizabeth Ebi (a Director of Trajek Nigeria Limited) to Keystone Bank Limited as genuine.”

The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.

In view of this, the prosecution counsel, Fanen Anum, told the court that the matter  was starting de novo and also prayed the court for a trial date.

Counsel to the first defendant, Anthony Ejere, however, prayed the court to allow his client, who has been convicted over another matter, to continue to enjoin the earlier bail granted him by the court.

Also, counsel to second and third  defendants, Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN, prayed the court to allow  his clients to continue to enjoy the earlier bail granted them by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo.

In a short ruling, Justice Fadipe upheld the prayers of the defence counsel that the defendants  be allowed to continue on the bail granted them by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo.

The Judge adjourned the case till May 6, 7, 8, 13, 20 and 27, 2025 for commencement of trial.

Atuche’s  fresh issues with the EFCC started when he recently contacted Nnosiri, an  Office Assistant with Keystone Bank’s Central Sharing Services Centre in Lagos, to deliver some alleged forged documents to the Bank’s corporate headquarters in Lagos for onward presentation in court as exhibits in an on-going case between him and the Commission before Justice Lateefat Okunnu.

The forged documents that had been missing since October 2009 are the Board’s resolutions of Future View Securities Limited, Extra Oil Limited and Trajek Nigeria Limited.

Barring any last-minute twist, President Bola Tinubu have just arrived the National Assembly Complex with his entourage to present the 2025 budget proposal before a joint session of the parliament.

The Federal Executive Council on Monday, approved the N47.96tn budget estimate for the 2025 fiscal year.

Consequently, security agents comprising operatives of the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Sergeant-At-Arms and the Federal Road Safety Corps are restricting access to the complex, assuring that only those with legitimate business related to the proposed budget presented are allowed in through the gates.

Staff members of the National Assembly providing clerical and other auxiliary services were on Tuesday told to remain at home until the President’s visit was over.

More details as it unfolds……