Youths condemn ‘malicious’ allegations
Integrity Youth Alliance (IYA) has fired back at reports alleging financial impropriety by Shina Philips, a prominent consultant to the Police. The group labelled the claims—which suggest Philips misappropriated conference
Integrity Youth Alliance (IYA) has fired back at reports alleging financial impropriety by Shina Philips, a prominent consultant to the Police. The group labelled the claims—which suggest Philips misappropriated conference funds—as a “poorly scripted” attempt at character assassination.
The controversy stems from a report by Sahara Reporters alleging Philips, chief executive of Lenders Consult International, diverted funds intended for police conferences and shared the proceeds with top officials, including Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and former Force PRO, Muyiwa Adejobi.
In a statement by IYA National Coordinator, Kelvin Adegbenga, the alliance clarified that the funding for these conferences does not come from the police budget.
“Shina Philips is a professional consultant who has been executing these conferences since 2019,” Adegbenga said. “The funds are sourced independently through Lenders Consult International. There is a fundamental misunderstanding being peddled: these are corporate fundraising efforts, not the embezzlement of public money.”
The group denies that Philips used the IGP’s Office to “solicit” governors. They maintain that fundraising is handled strictly as a corporate venture by Lenders Consult. IYA also dismissed claims of secret pay-outs to Egbetokun and Adejobi as “allegations from the pit of hell,” challenging the whistle blowers to provide concrete evidence.
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Addressing claims Philips received state-funded allowances for international trips, IYA asserted that Philips often facilitated these engagements and, in several instances, self-funded his travel to support police interests abroad.
The group attributed the upcoming police conference in Imo State to Philips’ personal professional relationship with Governor Hope Uzodinma, rather than undue influence from the IGP’s office.
The Alliance took aim at the nature of the reporting, criticizing the reliance on anonymous sources. “It is unfortunate that sensationalism is being prioritized over verification,” the statement read, adding that Philips remains open to any credible, evidence-based investigation.
