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True, Rivers State politician arrested with $498,100 cash

Claim: Social media users say a Rivers State politician has been arrested with a huge sum of money purportedly given to him by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.

True, Rivers State politician arrested with $498,100 cash

Verdict: Partly True. The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the arrest of Honourable Chinyere Igwe. However, with investigations ongoing, no direct links have been made to Atiku Abubakar.

Full Text

Social media users claim a member of the House of Representatives, Chinyere Igwe, has been arrested by operatives of the Rivers State Police Command.

Igwe, who represents Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency, was allegedly found with a cash sum of over $500,000 given to him by the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, with a list containing the sharing formula to voters. 

Verification

The spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed Igwe’s arrest to DUBAWA in a phone call.

Iringe-Koko explained that the Igwe was arrested with a large sum of money in foreign currency but noted that investigations were still on. 

“Yes, it’s true. He has been arrested. I have a release on it. He was arrested with a large sum of money in foreign currency (dollars),” the spokesperson told DUBAWA.

When asked if there had been a connection between the arrest and the PDP presidential candidate, she said, “What I know is that he had a large sum of money with him, and an investigation is still ongoing.”

A tweet by the Rivers State Police Command carried a viral image which showed the politician sitting before stacks of the dollar currency.

“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, member House of Representatives representing Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency. He was arrested 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 statement partly reads.

Conclusion

The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Chinyere Igwe, a member of the House of Representatives representing Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency. However, investigations are ongoing to determine the source and purpose of the money. 

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