Ex police chief run over by squad car

Jun 30, 9:10 AM (ET)

By Camillus Eboh

ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigeria's graft-tainted former police chief fell out of a squad car which then rolled over his legs Wednesday in a bizarre incident after a court ruled he would face a second trial on corruption charges.

Tafa Balogun is accused of stealing and laundering $100 million in his three years as Inspector General of Police in one of the most high-profile cases resulting from a government crackdown on graft. He denies the accusations.

Balogun is already facing trial on 50 charges brought by the government's anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Wednesday, a court in Abuja ruled he would face a second trial to cover further charges.

Proceedings drifted into farce after the decision was read.

Police tried to drive Balogun away to complete bail formalities but his defense lawyer resisted and in the confusion Balogun was shoved into a police car which sped off before the doors were closed. A short distance away Balogun fell out of the car and the back wheels went over his legs.

He returned to court, limping and covered in dust.

"This is not a prosecution but a persecution. This is a vendetta," he told the court. He said he had a broken leg, although he was still able to stand.

Just after speaking, Balogun apparently fainted and was carried out and taken to hospital.