Dr. Chinyere Igwe, a member of the House of Representatives from Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 2, was arraigned in the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Wednesday for alleged money laundering.
Igwe, a major supporter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, was apprehended by police on February 24 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He was charged with money laundering on a one-count charge.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecution counsel, M. N. Nweke, told the court that the lawmaker was caught with the money at about 2:40 p.m., on that day near the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters with a list for the distribution of the money.
Nweke added that the act contravened the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 and is punishable under the same.
Justice Stephen Daylop-Pam ordered that Igwe be remanded in police custody and adjourned the case till March 14 for consideration of his bail application.