The Nigerian Police has arraigned Chinyere Igwe, a member of the House of Representatives for Port Harcourt City Local Government Constituency II, before a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt over an allegation of money laundering.
According to the charge read out in court, Igwe is alleged to have been in possession of $498, 100 on February 24, 2023, during a police stop-and-search operation.
When the charge was read, the accused pleaded not guilty.
His counsel, however, made an application for bail which was objected to by the police counsel.
Trial judge, Justice Stephen Daylop-Pam after listening to the argument, adjourned till March 14, 2023, for bail consideration.
He, thereafter, directed that the accused should be sent to Nigerian Police Clinic for medical attention.
Global Upfront Newspapers (GUN) had reported that Igwe was arrested in the early hours of Friday February 24, 2023 with a cash sum of $498,100 USD inside a bag in his car.
He claimed that the cash was given to him by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar as logistics to ensure his electoral success in River State.
Spokesperson of Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said Police officers deployed to INEC Headquarters Aba Road arrested the House of Representatives member in the early hour of today February 24, 2023 while on stop and search operations.
She added that the list for distribution of the money was also found with the federal lawmaker.