TELL Magazine

Port Harcourt

The police in Rivers State have arrested a member of the House of Representatives, Chinyere Igwe, for allegedly being in possession of the sum $498,100 and a list of monies to be distributed to local government areas for the Presidential Election.

Igwe, who represents Port Harcourt Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, had previously served as Commissioner for Urban Development in the cabinet of Governor Nyesom Wike.

He fell out with the governor shortly before the party primaries last year and failed to get the ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for re-election to the federal legislature. He is one of the supporters of the Presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, in Rivers State.

The complex housing his broadcast stations, Atlantic Television Network and Swiss FM, at Ozuoba were attacked by unknown gunmen on Tuesday night.

Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed Igwe’s arrest said, “Officers from Rivers State Command deployed to INEC Headquarters Aba Road at about 0245hrs on Friday, 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.”

She said assistant inspector general of police, Abutu Yaro, deployed to Rivers State for the elections, has ordered swift interrogation and arraignment of Igwe in court.

The Command has, therefore, urged contestants and political parties to comply strictly with provisions of the Electoral Act and other relevant laws of the country.