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By Emmanuel Adeleke
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker representing Port Harcourt Federal Constituency II in the House of Representatives, Chinyere Igwe, with $498,100 cash.
Igwe was arrested in the early hours of Friday.
The command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement issued on Friday 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 about 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.
“Also recovered was a list for distribution of the money,” the statement read.
Iringe-Koko said the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of elections, Abutu Yaro, has ordered swift interrogation of the lawmaker and subsequent arraignment in court.
The police asked all candidates and political parties to comply strictly with provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and other laws guiding elections.
Igwe is a supporter of the PDP presidential candidate, Alh Atiku Abubakar.
The Rivers State Government had in August 2022, said it will prosecute the lawmaker over alleged involvement in oil bunkering.
Weeks later, his filling station in the state was sealed off over allegations of “involvement in “criminal activities.”