Former IGP, Tafa Balogun dies at 75
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tafa Balogun is dead.
He reportedly died at a Lagos hospital on Thursday.
Family sources confirmed Balogun’s death to Daily Trust on Thursday evening.
He became the IGP in March 2002.
Born on August 8, 1947 at Ila-Orangun in Osun State, 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 the commissioner of police 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.
Balogun was arraigned at a Federal High, Abuja on April 4, 2005 for stealing and laundering over $100 million in his three years as the IGP from the Police treasury.
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 IGP.
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 while sentencing him, 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.
He was released on February 9, 2006 after serving his sentence, part of it at the Abuja’s National Hospital.
