Former Nigerian Inspector General Of Police Is Dead [Photo]

A former Nigerian Inspector General of Police is dead.

Newsone reports that former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mustapha Balogun is dead. Tafa Balogun died on Thursday.

This online news platform understands that the late Inspector General of Police was born on August 8, 1947, at Ila-Orangun in Osun State.

Newsone Nigeria reports that Tafa Balogun 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, Tafa, 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.

He was also CP in Rivers and Abia states.

Tafa, 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 over $100 million in his three years as Inspector General of Police from the Police treasury.

Late Tafa Balogun.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under Nuhu Ribadu brought 70 charges against him, covering the period from 2002 to 2004 when he was the Inspector General of Police. He made a plea bargain with the court in exchange for returning much of the property and money. He was sentenced to six months in jail.

Judge Binta Nyako said her sentence reflected that Balogun was the 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.

Balogun, 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.

The late Inspector General of Police was released on February 9, 2006, after serving his sentence, part of it at Abuja’s National Hospital.