A few days after his television and radio stations were allegedly bombed by gunmen, Dr. Chinyere Igwe, a member of the House of Representatives, was arrested with a bundle of dollars on Ana Road, Port Harcourt, early Friday morning.
The police while confirming Igwe’s arrest gave the total sum as $498,100 along with a list of people the monies were meant for.
It was reported the Atlantic Television Network and Wish FM 99.5 located in the same building in Ozuoba, Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers state were attacked with dynamites, with many property destroyed.
The state Police Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said Igwe was nabbed during a stop and search operation by operatives deployed to the Independent National Electoral Commission office along Aba Road in Port Harcourt.
Following his arrest, Iringe-Koko said the Assistant Inspector General of Police deployed to the state for elections, AIG Abutu Yaro, had ordered swift interrogation and arraignment of the lawmaker.
Igwe, who represents Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 2 in the House of Representatives, is a staunch supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The police statement read, “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, a member of the 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.”
