Tafa Balogun Loot- Reps query EFCC on whereabouts

Where is the N20billion loot recovered from former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Tafa Balogun?

This was the question before members of the House of representatives yesterday.

The whereabouts of the cash became subject of discussion during the consideration of a Bill for an Act to establish the Police Reform Trust Fund and matters connected therewith 2010.

The Executive Bill, which was slated for second reading yesterday, offered the lawmakers an opportunity to demand the whereabouts of the N20 billion and another N50 billion said to have been raised by the defunct Police Equipment Fund (PEF).

Balogun was reported to have cried out last year that his loot had been re-looted.

Hon. John Halims Agoda said the House should ensure that the whereabouts of the N20 billion Balogun’s loot was located.

He noted that though there was need to fund the police properly, relevant government authorities should explain what happened to the money recovered from Tafa Balogun and the one raised by the defunct PEF.

"We were told that the money is not in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) account, we were also told that it is not in the police account and we have been told that the money is not in the Federation Account. To make the matter worse, the EFCC said the issue of the N20 billion Tafa Balogun loot has been closed. If it has been closed, where is the money?" Agoda asked.

Insisting that the funds must be traced, the lawmaker said it was a slight on the country that such huge amount of money "disappeared into private pockets."

He said: "It is needless talking about establishing a trust fund for the police when we cannot locate funds raised earlier for the police."

Speaker Dimeji Bankole asked for the whereabouts of the cash from the Chairman, House Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Hon. Rabe Nasir. He asked: "where is the money?" Nasir said the matter is marred in controversy and pleaded with the House to allow the various committees involved in probing the missing funds to submit their report.

The Nation