Police operatives in Rivers have arrested a member of House of Representatives and a loyalist of PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, Chinyere Igwe with about $500,000 during stop and search operation early Friday morning.
The lawmaker, one of the top members of PDP’s presidential campaign council in Rivers was arrested by police operatives along Port Harcourt/Aba Road at about 2.45am on Friday.
The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the arrest of Igwe who is representing Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency 2 in the House of Representatives.
Spokesperson for the Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko said the sum of 498,100 US Dollars concealed inside a bag in his car was found on the lawmaker when his vehicle was stopped and searched by police operatives.
She added that a list of how the money was to be distributed was also recovered.
“Also recovered was a list for distribution of the money. The AIG Election, AIG Abutu Yaro has ordered his 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.
“Members of the public are encouraged to avail themselves of the following hotlines to report any observation they believe have potential to lead to crime or break down of law and order: 08032003514, 08098880134,” the police spokesperson said in the statement.
PM NEWS scrutiny of the list show that the money was to be shared across the local government areas of Rivers State, the police and officials of INEC.
Video of the arrest of the lawmaker and his interrogation over alleged plan to bribe INEC officials, security operatives and buy votes for Atiku in Rivers State with the intercepted money had gone viral early Friday.
“Hon. Chinyere Igwe (PDP Member House of Representatives) has been arrested in the early hours of Friday morning in Port Harcourt with over Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($500,000.00) which he claimed was given to him by Atiku to ensure his electoral success in Rivers State.
“The police also recovered the sharing formula from him. From this document, they planned to give dollars to Security and INEC,” one of the viral reports indicated.
It can be recalled that Igwe is the owner of WishFm Port Harcourt and Atlantic Television Network that were allegedly attacked few days ago during which the transformer and industrial generator belonging to the broadcast outfits were destroyed.
See list of how the money is to be shared below:
