Vote-buying: Rivers PDP chieftain caught with $498,100

A Nigerian politician has been arrested for alleged money laundering after being caught with $498,100 (£414,000) in cash a day before general elections.

The piles of US dollars were found by police inside Chinyere Igwe’s car.

Mr Igwe, an opposition PDP member of the House of Representatives, was also caught with a list of people to give the money to, police say.

Mr Igwe, representing Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 2, is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and loyal to the party’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.

In previous elections, politicians have been accused of rigging polls through vote buying.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said in a statement that the suspect was arrested during a stop-and-search operation on Friday in Port Harcourt.

His arrest, which comes on the eve of the presidential and National Assembly elections billed for Saturday, raises suspicion of vote-buying.

Ms Iringe-Koko said that the lawmaker is being investigated for money laundering and attempting to buy voters ahead of the presidential and national assembly elections.

“He was arrested by 2:45 a.m. on Friday by police officers deployed to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Headquarters at Aba Road in Port Harcourt.

Ms Iringe-Koko said that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of elections in the state, Abuto Yaro, had ordered the lawmaker’s interrogation and arraignment in court.

The police spokesperson urged all contestants and political parties to comply strictly with the provisions of the Electoral Act and other relevant laws.

“Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious movements and actions they believe can cause breakdown of law and order before, during and after the elections.

“Members of the public can reach the command through the following hotlines: 08032003514, 08098880134,” she added.