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Ex-Police Chief, Tafa Balogun Is Dead

Published

2 years ago

August 5, 2022

NewTimes

By John Michael Ojo
Former Inspector General of Police, Mustapha ‘Tafa’ Balogun is dead.

Tafa as he’s fondly called, died at about 8:20 p.m. on Thursday after a brief illness in an undisclosed hospital in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

Tafa who became the IGP in March 2002, was born on August 25, 1947, in Ila Orangun, Osun State. He died at 74, a few days to his 75th birthday.

The former IGP began his career as a member of Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police Course 3. He worked in various police commands across the federation.

He was also a Principal Staff Officer to the former IGP, Muhammadu Gambo, Deputy Commission of Police, Edo State, and the pioneer Commissioner of Police in Delta State.

READ ALSO: IGP Approves New Dress Code For Female Police Officers

He also served as a Commissioner of Police in Rivers and Abia states.

He was appointed Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone One Kano State, the position he was holding when promoted to the IGP on March 6, 2002.

However, his career suffered a great setback following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Commission on April 4, 2005 at the Federal High Court, Abuja for stealing and laundering of over $100million in his three years as Inspector General of Police from the police treasury.

He was later convicted in 2005 on eight charges of corruption.

Following his release from custody, he went into private security contracting. He also lived the later parts of his life between his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, and Dubai in the UAE.

Tafa Balogun would be remembered for his strong support for community policing concept in Nigeria, a project that has succeeded greatly in developed nations such as Britain, United States, Australia and Canada .

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Latest News

DSS Arrests NLC President, Joe Ajaero

Published

2 days ago

September 9, 2024

NewTimes

By John Michael

Following the allegations of terrorism financing leveled against him by the State, Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress was on Monday arrested by operatives of the Department of the State Service, DSS.

Ajaero whose arrest occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was said to be on his way to the United Kingdom, UK, where he was billed to attend the Trade Union Congress conference in London, which begins today .

Meanwhile, while reacting to Ajaero’s arrest via a statement on its X handle, NLC described the arrest of the embattled union leader as an intimidation of Nigerian workers by the government and added that such an action would not be accepted.

The statement reads: “The assault on Nigerian workers continues. President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, was arrested and abducted by men of the DSS at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, this morning on his way to attend an official engagement of TUC United Kingdom, and he is now detained at the office of the NSA.

“This intimidation and assault must stop!!!” it added.

Latest News

Fufeyin: Group Urges NAFDAC To Investigate Faith Healers, Claims

Published

2 days ago

September 8, 2024

NewTimes

Witch Burning, Impunity And Abuses Linked to Witchcraft Beliefs In Benue State

Dr Leo Igwe

The Critical Thinking Social Empowerment Foundation (CTSEF) has welcomed the investigation by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) into the activities of a faith-based organization, Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, and its pastor, Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin.

According to Dr Leo Igwe, who directs CTSEF, this faith group and the pastor have reportedly been using NAFDAC’s name to deceive the public and market miracle soap and water. They claim that the soap and water have healing powers.

A statement by Igwe said: ” The Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, explained that some members of the public sent petitions to the office claiming that this so-called Senior Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin of Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries, Km 5 Effurun, Sapele Road, Delta State, has been advertising and selling some miracle water and miracle soap with healing powers. Fufeyin claimed that his miracle water and soap could ‘heal’ barrenness and other health issues.

“In addition, he claimed that women would give birth to twins if they used the soap. Fufeyin openly told his congregation that his soap was NAFDAC- registered. Meanwhile, it was not approved or registered with the agency. Some of the products from Fufeyin’s Ministry sent to NAFDAC for verification as a part of the complaint include, “Miracle & Healing Water, River Jordan Water, the Miracle Water from The Pool of Bethsaida, A New Beginning Mount Camel Miracle Water, Water of Life, Miracle Water from The Pool of Bethsaida (1L), A New Beginning Pool of Bethsaida Water, and Father Smelled Perfume.

“CTSEF commends NAFDAC for investigating the activities of Fufeyin, especially his dubious attempts to use the name of NAFDAC to legitimize his fraudulent healing products and claims. Such an investigation is necessary to checkmate other unscrupulous pastors who deceive and exploit the unsuspecting public.

“It is pertinent to note that Fufeyin is not alone in this business. Many self-acclaimed prophets and faith healers make reckless and irresponsible miracle claims. They sell holy oil, holy handkerchiefs, and ‘sacred’ things to people, claiming they have healing powers.

“Meanwhile, there is no evidence that holy water or miracle soap heals. But these faith healers promote and advertise them; they market these fake products and get people to part with their money in exchange for goods without healing powers, as claimed.

“CTSEF enjoins NAFDAC to extend the investigation to all faith healers and healing goods that pastors, prophets, and other self-acclaimed godmen peddle and administer to the public, whether they claim to be NAFDAC-registered or not. NAFDAC should ensure that all faith healers involved in this evil trade are prosecuted and penalized.

“Fufeyin and his ministry constitute threats to public health in the country. The public should remain vigilant and report all who make faith-healing claims to NAFDAC for necessary actions.”

Latest News

BREAKING: Tinubu’s Spokesman Ajuri Ngelale Resigns

Published

4 days ago

September 7, 2024

NewTimes

Ajuri Ngelale

President Bola Tinubu’s aide, Ajuri Ngelale, has resigned . Ngelale was the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity.

New Times learnt that Ngelale proceeded on an indefinite leave to attend to pressing medical matters affecting his immediate family.

In a statement he posted on his general communication WhatsApp platform on Saturday, Ngelale revealed that he submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff on Friday.

He noted that the memo was a means of notifying him of the decision to pause his functions, including his roles as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.

Ngelale explained that the decision was after consultations with his family due to a worsening medical situation at home.

He expressed hope to return to full-time national service when circumstances permit.

He, however, requested privacy for his family during the challenging time.

The leave of absence takes effect immediately, with no specified date for his return.

He wrote, “On Friday, I submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff to the President informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to frontally deal with medical matters presently affecting my immediate, nuclear family.

“While I fully appreciate that the ship of state waits for no man, this agonizing decision — entailing a pause of my functions as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President; Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, and Chairman, Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen — was taken after significant consultations with my family over the past several days as a vexatious medical situation has worsened at home.

“I look forward to returning to full-time national service when time, healing, and fate permit.

“I respectfully ask for some privacy for my family and I during this time.”