Lenders Consult International Limited has denied allegations that funds meant for the organisation of the Nigeria Police Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers were diverted.
The company said neither it nor its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Shina Philips, received funds from the Nigeria Police for the event.
The firm stated this while reacting to a report published on March 3, 2026, by an online news platform which alleged that funds intended for the Nigeria Police Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers had been diverted.
In a statement, the company described the allegation as false and criticised the report for failing to present its side of the story.
According to the firm, its collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force began after it proposed organising an annual Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers as part of efforts to support capacity building within the force.
It explained that the retreat brings together officers from the rank of Commissioner of Police and above to engage in peer review and exchange ideas on policing strategies and security challenges.
The company stated that its proposal included an arrangement under which it would approach potential sponsors to fund the conference and retreat.
“Our proposal included an obligation that, as initiators, Lenders Consult International would be responsible for approaching potential sponsors to fund the retreat. This arrangement was well received and approved from the outset and has been operational since 2019,” the statement said.
The firm noted that the maiden edition of the conference was held in 2019 with the Lagos State Government serving as the host sponsor.
It added that the event was declared open by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented at the time by then Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.#
According to the company, subsequent editions of the conference were held in Uyo in February 2022 and later in Owerri between 2022 and 2024 before the 2025 edition held in Abeokuta.
The company insisted that it has never received any funds from the Nigeria Police to organise the conference.
“We would like to state very strongly that we have never, at any time, received any money by way of funding from the Nigeria Police for the sponsorship of the event,” the statement added.
The firm also denied claims that any funds were shared with any past Inspector-General of Police or the Force Public Relations Officer.
The company further noted that the conference has contributed to reforms within the Nigeria Police Force, including discussions that led to the establishment of the Police Institute in Abuja.
It also said it later proposed the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations to recognise outstanding officers within the force, adding that two editions of the awards were held in Abuja in 2024 and 2025.
The company added that Philips was appointed a consultant to the Nigeria Police in 2020 to coordinate activities for Police Week 2020, which was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It stated that he has continued to support police initiatives without receiving payment, noting that some official trips he undertook alongside the immediate past Inspector-General of Police were self-funded.
