Zoe A.E
Khafilat Kareem A.K.A Khafi is presently undergoing a hearing on misconduct as a result of her appearance on the reality TV show – Big Brother Naija back in 2019.
Khafi however was instructed not to go for the show. According to BBC, hours before she went on the show, she called one of Met’s most senior officers, asking him to reverse the order of not attending.
Against the decision, she went ahead to participate in the show. She was said to have argued that the show was an avenue to “promote the Met Police” globally.
Khafi spent a total of 77 days in the BBNaija house, where she met her husband, Gedoni Ekpata.
Khafi however, asked for unpaid leave to enable her to attend. The leave was reportedly granted but the Met Police, during the hearing at the Empress Building in London, on Monday, said Khafi was not authorized to take part in the show.
Studd QC said, “She saw it as a chance to promote the Met on an international basis. Looking at the website and information provided, Ch Supt Jason Gwillim concluded it was not in the best interests of the Met or the officer and it would put her in a compromising situation.
“He explained the rationale and stressed she was not to take part in the show. Gwillim’s impression was that PC Kareem was disappointed but understood. She took the period of unpaid leave.”
Khafi, however, denied allegations of breaching standards in respect of “orders and instructions” and “discreditable conduct.”
She also denied allegations that she failed to declare a business interest in relation to publicity and promotion of the TV show.
On the 30th day of June 2019, Khafi reportedly texted Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist and later called him to tell him that she was presently in Lagos to take part in the reality show.
Mr. Twist however said that he got the impression that she called with the hope that he was going to change his mind, but told her he was not in the position to do any review on a Sunday. He also said his concerns were about her mental health, seeing the norm on how the program in the UK affects the participants especially when they are out.
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“I got the impression she was phoning hoping I would change the decision. I got the fact she was in Nigeria; I got the strong sense she was going to do it, but she did not say as much,” Mr. Twist said.
“I was worried about her mental health, we have no ability to support or intervene in the Big Brother house. We had no idea what security was in place around the Big Brother house and something awful could happen there or she could be targeted as a serving constable.
“Over the years a number of people who come out of the Big Brother house are reported in the media to have suffered mental health issues. Knowing the UK version, this is something we wouldn’t want a serving officer appearing on, Mr. Twist said.
The tribunal heard that Khafi reportedly saw a psychologist after the show due to the “adverse” media report and attention.
It was also heard that she was invited to appear on Good Morning Britain, but was told not to do any unauthorized media interviews.
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