BY: Manoah Kikekon
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| PDP Rep. Arrested with cash |
The Rivers police command apprehended Chinyere Igwe, a member of the House of Representatives, in possession of $498,100 in cash.
Igwe is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker who represents the federal constituency of Port Harcourt II.
He backs Atiku Abubakar, the PDP's presidential candidate.
Rivers police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko said the lawmaker was also apprehended with a list for the distribution of the money.
"Police officers from Rivers state command deployed to INEC headquarters, Aba road today 24/2/2023 at around 0245hrs, while on stop and search, arrested one honourable Chinyere Igwe, member house of representatives representing Port Harcourt II federal constituency, with a cash sum of $498,100 inside a bag in his car," a police spokesperson said in a statement.
"A list for distributing the money was also recovered."
According to Iringe-Koko, Abutu Yaro, assistant inspector-general (elections), has ordered the lawmaker's "swift interrogation" and subsequent arraignment in court.
The police have asked all candidates and political parties to "strictly comply" with the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and other election laws.
The news comes just 24 hours before the presidential and national assembly elections.
Igwe is a supporter of PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
The Rivers state government announced in August 2022 that it would prosecute the lawmaker for alleged involvement in oil bunkering.
Weeks later, his filling station in the state was sealed off over allegations of "involvement in "criminal activities".