Ex-IGP Tafa Balogun Passes On

Late Tafa Balogun

Ex-IGP Tafa Balogun Passes On

Mustapha Balogun, a former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), is dead. Family sources confirmed the death of Balogun, who became IGP in March 2002 to 2004

Family sources confirmed the death of Balogun, who became IGP in March 2002, to Daily Trust on Thursday night, but did not go into details.

Balogun was born on August 8, 1947 at Ila-Orangun, Osun State. He was the 21st Inspector-General of Police. 

He was a member of cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Course 3. Having worked in various Police commands throughout the federation, and earning his promotions as at when due.

The former Nigeria Police boss, was at a time, the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to former Inspector-General of Police, Muhammadu Gambo, Deputy Commission of Police Edo State, the pioneer Commissioner of Police in Delta State. And later became CP in Rivers and Abia states.

Balogun, a fellow of the premier highest military institution in Nigeria, the National War College, later became the Assistant Inspector General of Police A.I.G Zone One, Kano, from where he was named the 21st IGP of Police on March 6, 2002.

His infamous trial drew global attention in 2005. On April 4, 2005, Tafa Balogun was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Abuja for stealing and laundering of over $100 million in his three years as Inspector General of Police from the Police treasury.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under Nuhu Ribadu slammed 70 charges on him, covering the period from 2002 to 2004, when he was the IGP. 

He made a plea bargain with the court in exchange for returning much of the property and money, after being sentenced to six months in jail.

Judge Binta Nyako said her sentence reflected that Balogun was a first offender and had shown remorse. He was directed by the court to pay N500, 000 on each of eight counts charges totaling N4 million.

His trial was full of drama. One of such was when he collapsed on his seat on June 29, 2005, at the Abuja High Court.

The former police boss, who pleaded guilty to eight of the 56 count-charges directly affecting him, was convicted and sentenced to six months in each of the charges, which is however to run concurrently.

He was released on February 9, 2006 after serving his sentence, part of it at Abuja’s National Hospital.

Source -: Daily Trust

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