Police arraigns Rivers top politician nabbed with $498,100

Police on Wednesday arraigned a member of the House of Representatives from Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 2, Dr. Chinyere Igwe, for alleged money laundering at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.

Igwe, who is a major supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was arrested by the police with $498,100 on February 24 in the Rivers State capital.

He was arraigned on a one-count charge of money laundering.

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He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution counsel, M. N. Nweke, told the court that the lawmaker was caught with the money at about 2:40 p.m., on that day near the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters with a list for the distribution of the money.

Nweke added that the act contravened the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 and is punishable under the same.

Justice Stephen Daylop-Pam ordered that Igwe be remanded in police custody and adjourned the case till March 14 for consideration of his bail application.