By Ogochukwu Isioma
A former Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tafa Balogun, is dead. Balogun, 74, passed away on Thursday (today), few days to his 75th birthday.
Born on August 8, 1947 in Osun State, Balogun attended the University of Lagos and graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He joined the Nigerian Police Force in May 1973.
Balogun was IGP from 2002 to 2005, before he was forced into submitting his letter of resignation by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo in the wake of widespread allegations of corruption against him.
Shortly after his removal as IGP, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under Nuhu Ribadu arraigned Balogun on 70-count charges involving about N13 billion allegedly obtained through money laundering, theft and other sources.
In court, the erstwhile IGP asked for a plea bargain in exchange to return some money and property. However, Balogun was sentenced to six months in prison, the greater part of which was spent on a sick bed at the National Hospital in Abuja.