EXCLUSIVE: Egbetokun’s Associate Shina Philips Accused Of Pocketing Police Conference Funds, Sharing Loot With Ex-IGP, Former PRO Adejobi
According to senior police insiders who spoke to SaharaReporters, Philips has for years been responsible for organising police conferences for senior officers.
Multiple sources within the Nigeria Police Force have raised serious allegations against Mr. Shina Philips, Managing Director/CEO of Lenders Consult International, describing him as a close ally of former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun (Rtd.).
According to sources within the force, Philips played a central role in organising police conferences for senior officers but reportedly failed to render accounts of funds raised or spent during these events to the force after each event.
According to senior police insiders who spoke to SaharaReporters, Philips has for years been responsible for organising police conferences for senior officers.
Alleged Financial Deals With Governors
According to sources, Phillips, acting under the cover of the then-IGP Egbetokun, travelled to various states to solicit sponsorship from governors for police conferences.
Funds provided for these events were allegedly paid directly to Phillips. According to police sources, the funds paid to Phillips for these conferences were allegedly shared between Egbetokun and the then-Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, without the knowledge of other senior officers.
Sources further alleged that money intended for distribution to senior officers during state-level police conferences was tampered with, raising concerns over transparency and accountability within the force.
“They tamper with money to be shared to senior officers during police conferences which often take place at the state level,” a police source alleged.
“Phillips has been in charge of organising police conference for senior officers without rendering accounts to the force at the end of the day.
“He would go to various states under the cover of then-IGP Egbetokun, liaise with some governors in order to see who could sponsor a police conference and money for the police conference would paid to him.
“He in turn would share it with Egbetokun and then-Force PRO Muyiwa without the knowledge of other senior officers.”
Imo State Conference Approval
Before Egbetokun’s removal from office in February, Philips reportedly secured approval, allegedly with Egbetokun’s backing, to organise a police conference in Imo State scheduled for April 2026.
Insiders now argue that the new Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, should halt the arrangement and order a probe into the entire process for accountability and transparency.
They insist that Philips should be thoroughly investigated and compelled to account for all funds allegedly received under the guise of organising police conferences.
“IGP Disu should halt that arrangement and probe the entire process for accountability and transparency sake,” a police source said.
Foreign Trips and Allowances
Additionally, sources alleged that Philips accompanied Egbetokun on official international visits, a movement typically reserved for the IGP and senior officers, and received allowances for these trips.
“The entire process lacks transparency, and there is a need for a proper audit of all monies in his custody,” one source said on condition of anonymity.
“This same Shina followed Egbetokun on official visits outside the country. These trips should be made by IGP and other senior officers. The allowances for such visits were paid to Shina Phillips. He should be investigated properly and made to account for all police money in his custody under the guise of organising police conference,” one of the sources said.
On Tuesday, February 24, SaharaReporters broke the news that President Bola Tinubu had forced Egbetokun to resign from office.
He was subsequently succeeded as IGP by Tunji Disu, who previously headed the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that some police officers celebrated upon hearing the news of Egbetokun’s removal from office.
Egbetokun’s tenure as IGP was marked by numerous controversies. His prolonged stay in office, despite clear retirement rules, became a central point of criticism.
His term was extended beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60 or 35 years of service, prompting civil society groups and critics to argue that his continued leadership violated police regulations.
The situation sparked heated debates about favoritism and disregard for institutional discipline.
SaharaReporters had exclusively reported on the rapid promotions of Bukola Yemisi Kuti, a Principal Staff Officer under Egbetokun, under circumstances that critics deemed questionable.
Allegations suggested that her closeness to the IGP gave her undue advantage, fueling perceptions of nepotism and favoritism within the police force.
Sources further alleged that Kuti was personally linked to Egbetokun as his mistress, intensifying the controversy surrounding her promotions.
The news outlet also reported that ₦100 million from Anambra State’s security vote was traced to the account of Victor, Egbetokun’s son. This sparked significant public concern over possible diversion of state security funds for personal benefit.
Rather than allowing independent investigations into these allegations, police authorities used institutional resources to pursue legal action against individuals and media platforms reporting on the matter.During this period, Egbetokun’s office made headlines for initiating lawsuits against journalists and activists.
He filed multiple charges against activist Omoyele Sowore and SaharaReporters after Sowore publicly referred to him as an “illegal IGP.”
This escalated into a legal battle, with the Federal High Court issuing injunctions restricting further publications concerning Egbetokun and members of his family. Critics viewed these legal actions as attempts to silence dissent and undermine press freedom.
Following additional reports by Sowore and SaharaReporters regarding alleged promotions and financial improprieties, Egbetokun’s camp responded with further litigation.
Court orders were issued restraining both Sowore and SaharaReporters from publishing additional reports concerning Egbetokun, his son Victor, and Bukola Kuti.
Observers argued that, instead of addressing the allegations transparently, the police leadership appeared focused on using legal measures to defend personal and professional interests.
When contacted to determine whether the Force Headquarters was aware of the allegations and investigating them, Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin replied that he was “unavailable right now” and advised SaharaReporters to contact any of the FCT or state police command spokespersons.
