From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
A member of the House of Representatives and supporter of the PDP presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, in Rivers State, Chinyere Igwe, has been arrested by security operatives.
He was arrested in the early hours of Friday along Aba Road in Port Harcourt with about $500,000.00 which he claimed was allegedly given to him to ensure electoral success in Rivers State.
A source told Saturday Sun that
two persons he knows were with Chinyere Igwe till around 1am on Friday.
According to the source, they (Igwe’s associates) were all in a meeting at a former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives member’s residence in the state capital till 1:30am this morning.
The source, who did not want to be mentioned, said one of them told him that he (Igwe’s associate) wanted to join federal lawmaker’s vehicle this morning, but his instinct advised him otherwise.
However, in a viral video, it was discovered that three persons were in the room were Igwe and the video was released to the social media at about 4am by an aide to a former council chairman in the state.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker is the owner of the radio and television stations in Port Harcourt that were attacked early this week with explosive device.
State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of the lawmaker, which incident occurred at about 2:45am along Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP), gave the confirmation in a statement she released in of the arrest.
According to Iringe-Koko, it was
Police officers from Rivers State Command deployed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Headquarters Aba Road, while on stop and search operation, that apprehended the suspect.
Police said Igwe, member House of Representatives representing Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency was arrested with a cash sum of 498,100 USD inside a bag in his car.
Also recovered from him was a list for distribution of the money.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police for Election, AIG Abutu Yaro, has ordered swift interrogation and arraignment in court.
The command has urged all contestants and political parties to comply strictly with provisions of the Electoral Act and other relevant laws.
Also, the command has encouraged members of the public to report any observation they believe have potential to lead to crime or break down of law and order.