The Rivers police command has arrested a member of the house of representatives, Chinyere Igwe, with a sum of $498,100 in cash.
Igwe, who represents Port Harcourt II federal constituency, is a staunch supporter of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Grace Iringe-Koko, the Rivers police spokesperson, revealed that the lawmaker was apprehended with a list for the distribution of the money during a stop and search operation by police officers deployed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters on Aba road, Port Harcourt, early on the morning of February 24, 2023.
“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,” Iringe-Koko said in a statement.
“Also recovered was a list for distribution of the money.”
Abutu Yaro, assistant inspector-general (elections), has ordered “swift interrogation” of the lawmaker and subsequent arraignment in court.
The police have urged all candidates and political parties to “comply strictly” with the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and other laws guiding elections.
The arrest of the PDP lawmaker comes less than 24 hours to the presidential and national assembly elections.
