Police nab Reps member with nearly $500, 000 cash in Rivers
Rivers Police Command, Friday, arrested a lawmaker with nearly $500,000 in cash meant for distribution to certain persons, a day before the country’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, slated for Saturday, February 25.
According to the Rivers Police Command’s Spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko said, the lawmaker, identified as Hon. Chinyere Igwe, of the House of Representatives, was found traveling with the money inside a bag in his car around 2 a.m. along with a distribution list.
Police said Dr. Igwe was arrested with a bundle of dollars along the Ana Road, Port Harcourt, early Friday morning, totaling $498,100, along with a list of people the monies are meant for.
Iringe-Koko said Hon. Igwe was nabbed during a stop and search operation by operatives deployed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office along Aba Road in Port Harcourt.
Following his arrest, Iringe-Koko said the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Abutu Yaro deployed to the state for the elections, has ordered swift interrogation and arraignment of the lawmaker.
Igwe, who represents Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 2 at the Federal House of Representatives, is a staunch supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
“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,” the police statement read.
Iringe-Koko, therefore, urged residents of the state and members to take advantage of the hotlines made available by the police and report suspicious movements and situations capable of causing security breaches.
“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,” said the police spokesperson.
The development comes as the police in Kano announced the arrests of more than 60 ‘suspected thugs with dangerous weapons’ after supporters of political parties clashed Thursday.
Local media reported one person was burnt to death in the violence.
Presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to hold, this Saturday, February 25 across the country.
The development comes as the police in Kano announced the arrests of more than 60 ‘suspected thugs with dangerous weapons’ after supporters of political parties clashed Thursday.
Local media reported one person was burned to death in the violence.
Presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to hold, this Saturday, February 25 across the country.
