Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mustapha Balogun has passed away.
Balogun, who was appointed IGP in March 2002, passed away on Thursday night, according to family sources who declined to provide further details.
Tafa Balogun, the 21st Inspector-General of Police, was born on August 8th, 1947 in Ila-Orangun, Osun State. He was a cadet in the third class of the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). Tafa was at one point the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to former Inspector-General of Police Muhammadu Gambo, Deputy Commission of Police Edo State, and the first Commissioner of Police in Delta State after serving in various Police commands across the federation and receiving promotions when they were due. In the states of Rivers and Abia, he was also CP.
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 of over $100 million in his three years as Inspector General of Police from the Police treasury.
He was charged with 70 offenses by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under Nuhu Ribadu between the years of 2002 and 2004, while he served as the Inspector General of Police. He agreed to a plea deal with the judge in return for giving back most of the goods and cash. He received a six-month prison term.
