The police have arrested Hon Chinyere Igwe, a member representing Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, for allegedly being in possession of $498,100 cash.
The Command's Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe Koko, confirmed the arrest and disclosed that the cash and a list for its distribution were recovered from the lawmaker. Igwe is seeking reelection.
The AIG in charge of election in the state, Abutu Yaro, has ordered the swift interrogation and prosecution of the lawmaker. He also urged all contestants and political parties to comply strictly with the provisions of the Electoral Act and other relevant laws.
The police encouraged members of the public to provide vital information to the police.
This incident occurred two days after the Rivers State Police Command accused the federal lawmaker representing Etche/Omuma federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Ephraim Nwuzi, of treasonable felony, conspiracy, the motion of communal crisis, and inciting violence.
Nwuzi, who is also the All Progressives Congress candidate for Etche-Omuma Federal Constituency in the February 25, 2023 election, was remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre in the state following a remand proceeding by a Chief Magistrate's Court sitting in Port Harcourt.
Vote buying has been a major challenge in Nigeria's elections, and anti-graft agencies have vowed to crack down on politicians seeking to induce voters during the 2023 elections.