Nigeria Police has arraigned the member representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2 in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chinyere Igwe, before a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on allegation of money laundering.
Igwe, who was arrested by the police on the eve of the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly election with $498,000 in his possession.
It would be recalled that Igwe had had a seared relationship with his former ally, the governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, following the former’s (Igwe) support for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
However, yesterday, Igwe was arraigned at a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, on one count of Money Laundering.
The one count charge against Igwe bordered on illegal possession of $498,000 on the 24th day of February, 2023 at about 01.35 hours at No. 181 Aba Road, by GRA junction, Port Harcourt and failure to declare its transportation to the Nigerian Customs Service, thereby committing an offence contrary to sections 1(a) 2(1) (2) (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under section 2(5) of same Act.
But, the defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge preferred against by the police was read, warranting the prosecution, Mrs. M.N. Nweke, to apply for another date to bring some witnesses to court.
Counsel for the defendant, Tonye Ibisiki, however, applied for bail of his client, pending the determination of the case in view to the critical nature of the matter and the health condition of the defendant.
It would be recalled that Igwe had earlier been granted bail on Tuesday 7th March, 2023, but was rearrested same day.
Delivering ruling on the matter in suit number, FHC/PH/105/2023, the presiding Judge, Justice Stephen Daylop-Pam, deferred hearing on the bail application to Tuesday, 14th March, 2023.
Justice Daylop-Pam also adjourned to 4th May, 2023 for hearing on the matter and remanded the defendant to the prosecuting facility.
Culled from Vanguard
