Former Inspector General of Police, Mustafa Balogun is dead.
Late Balogun died at the Reddington Hospital, Lekki, Lagos at about 8:30 PM today, Thursday 4th of August, 2022 during a brief illness, family sources confirmed to newsmen.
Retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu who had served as Balogun’s PSO was one of the first callers at the hospital where Balogun died tonight. He described the death as most unfortunate.
Born on August, 1947 at Ila-Orangun in Osun State, Balogun, a fellow of the premier highest military institution in Nigeria, the National War College, was the Assistant Inspector – General of Police Zone One, Kano, from where he was named the 21st IGP of Police on March 6, 2002.
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, late Balogun 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.
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.
His infamous trial drew global attention in 2005. On April 4, 2005, 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.
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.
The former police boss, who pleaded guilty to eight of the 56 count-charges preferred against him, was convicted and sentenced to six months in each of the charges, which is however to run concurrently.
Justice Binta Nyako said her sentence reflected that Balogun was a first offender and had shown remorse. He was directed by the court to pay ₦500, 000 on each of eight counts charges totaling ₦4 million.
He was released on February 9, 2006 after serving his sentence.
Balogun, who was recently installed as the Oluomo of Igbomina, attended the University of Lagos, graduated in 1972 with a B.A. in Political Science. He joined the Nigeria Police Force in May 1973.
While serving as a police officer, Balogun bagged a law degree from the University of Ibadan.