By Kingsley Omonobi & Ise-Oluwa Ige
Posted to the Web: Wednesday, March 30, 2005

He was subsequently taken to the commission’s detention facility in Lagos for interrogation.

“He has been under interrogation since yesterday (Monday) and he will remain in detention here pending when we are through with our interrogation,” an EFCC source said yesterday. “He wrote his statement today (yesterday), filled the suspect’s personal data form and the assets declaration form. All these are necessary before his arraignment latest Friday or Monday next week,” the source added.

The source who was part of the team quizzing Mr Balogun said: “The former IGP is getting better except may be he is not looking strong, but he can write.”

Activities at the commission’s office were completely paralysed yesterday as the main entrance into the premises was under tight security. Even people on appointment were not allowed entry apparently because of Mr Balogun’s presence.

Details of the possible charges against Mr. Balogun have not been confirmed. But there are allegations that several bank accounts have been traced to him.

The ex-IG's lawyer, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, in a statement yesterday said “he is free of the charges proclaimed against him.”

The statement: “No one need be disturbed by the harassment, intimidations, proclamations of guilt, arrest, detention or prosecution by the EFCC.

The organisation set-up under a single vindictive authority takes pleasure in using power anyhow and in anyway. This is why scores and scores of citizens remain detained by EFCC in utter abuse of the Constitution and the norms of human liberty. We only need to visit the offices of EFCC to see that behind the high profile cases is a terrible decay covered up by individuals who should not have been given such powers.

“It is characteristics for government in developing nations to arrest people anyhow including millions that have been freed as innocent by the courts.

"The wound of the current harassment of Mr. Tafa Balogun, would soon be healed by the proof of his innocence in an impartial court. It is the discharge of the burden of the proof by the state that should preoccupy us. Not the careless unwarranted and unjustified abuse of authority by EFCC.

“Mr. Tafa Balogun maintains this position for the benefit of doubt. He entered the police honourably, served at various departments effectively and retired with compliments from government.

"If now, in spite of all his commitments to the nation, he is being subjected to the current irritations, then, in the same way he defended Nigeria as Inspector General of Police, he will defend himself as an ordinary citizen of Nigeria entitled to the due process of law.

“The nation should not assume his guilt, not at all, but should demand adequate proof before an impartial tribunal notwithstanding the disturbing and noisy proclamations of guilt against him by EFCC.

"Mr. Tafa Balogun will be defended and may we as his counsel begin the defence by stating unequivocably that he is free of the charges proclaimed against him. Let us insist if only for the sake of all of us on the balance of justice.”

Mr. Balogun was retired on January 17. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief U.J. Ekaette had in a statement said that Tafa’s retirement took effect March 6, 2005.

Chairman of EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in a chat with journalists shortly after Mr. Balogun proceeded on retirement leave said he (Tafa) was being investigated for allegation bothering on financial misconduct, including money laundering.

His (Tafa’s) counsel, Dr Abayomi, was however quick to deny the commission’s allegation, saying: “EFCC does not try people. It can only probe and if any case is established against any body, that has to be proved in the court of law. The only avenue where I can defend my client is in the court of law.

“All we are asking is that the EFCC should conduct its investigation in a civilised manner without violating his (Tafa’s) right to presumption of innocence,” he said.

This week arrest of Tafa may not be unconnected to the investigation carried out by the commission on the allegation of corruption levelled at him.