Police arrest Rivers State Lawmaker with $500,00, releases official statement
Vondigest reports that operatives of the Rivers State Police Command in the early hours of Friday, arrested a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chinyere Igwe, allegedly in possession of $500,000 US Dollars on the eve of the 2023 general elections.
This online platform gathered that Igwe, who is a supporter of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, was arrested along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, the State capital.
Vondigest learnt that apart from the foreign currency allegedly in his possession, the Police also found a list of how the money will be distributed to beneficiaries in the 23 local government areas of the State as well as security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Equally, reports states that the federal lawmaker’s arrest came barely 72 hours after the building housing his two media outfits, the Wish FM and the Atlantic Television Network was rocked by explosion.
Meanwhile, explosion suspected to be from dynamite on Thursday rocked the residence of Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, a former Commissioner under the Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike-led administration and a staunch supporter of PDP presidential candidate Atiku.
However, it was gathered that one of the assailants was shot dead when security operatives responded to the situation.
The State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said Igwe was nabbed during a stop and search operation by operatives deployed to the Independent National Electoral Commission office along Aba Road in Port Harcourt.
Following his arrest, Iringe-Koko said the Assistant Inspector General of Police deployed to the state for elections, AIG Abutu Yaro, has ordered swift in.
The police statement read, “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 Hon Chinyere Igwe, member House of Representatives representing Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency with a cash sum of $498,100 USD inside a bag in his car.
“Also recovered was a list for distribution of the money. The Assistant Inspector General of Police (Election) AIG Abutu Yaro, has ordered swift interrogation and arraignment in court.
“The Command urges all contestants and political parties to comply strictly with provisions of the Electoral Act and other relevant laws.”
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, urged residents of the state and members to take advantage of the hotlines made available by the police to report suspicious movements and situations capable of causing security breaches.
She stated, “Members of the public are encouraged to avail themselves of the available hotlines to report any observation they believe have potential to lead to crime or break down of law and order.”
