Mustapha Balogun popular called Tafa Balogun, a former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) of Nigeria, has passed away.
Balogun, who became IGP under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government in 2002, passed away on Thursday, according to family sources. However, details about his death are now hazy.
The late Balogun was born in Ila-Orangun, Osun State, on August 8, 1947.
He was the 21st Police Inspector General. He participated in Course 3 of the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Cadet Program.
Tafa was, at one time, the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to the former Inspector-General of Police, Muhammadu Gambo, Deputy Commission of Police in Edo State and the first Commissioner of Police in Delta State. Tafa worked in various Police commands throughout the federation and earned his promotions as at when due. He was also CP in the states of Rivers and Abia.
Balogun was a fellow at the National War College, the highest military college in Nigeria.
On March 6, 2002, he was appointed the 21st Inspector General of Police (IGP) after serving as the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) for Zone One, Kano.
In 2005, his infamous trial garnered worldwide notice. Tafa Balogun was charged on April 4, 2005 at the Federal High Court in Abuja with stealing and laundering over $100 million from the Police treasury during his three years as Inspector General of Police.
Nuhu Ribadu’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed 70 accusations against him during his tenure as Inspector General of Police from 2002 to 2004. He entered into a plea bargain with the court in exchange for returning a substantial portion of the property and money. He was given a six-month prison sentence.
Judge Binta Nyako stated that Balogun’s sentencing reflected his status as a first-time offender who had demonstrated remorse. The court ordered him to pay N500,000 for each of eight counts, totaling N4 million.
His trial was packed with drama. One of these incidents occurred on June 29, 2005, when he collapsed on his seat in the Abuja High Court.
The former police chief, who pleaded guilty to eight of the 56 count-charges directly impacting him, was convicted and sentenced to six months for each count, which will run consecutively.
He was released on February 9, 2006 after completing a portion of his sentence at the National Hospital in Abuja.
