The Metropolitan Police recently released a statement saying that it was carrying out internal investigations to query current Big Brother Naija housemate, Khafi Kareem for going on the show without permission.
According to Scotland Yard, the 29-year-old had been granted unpaid leave for reasons unrelated to her participation in the show. However, she has been seen on-air in the BBNaija house and in romantic situations with fellow housemate, 31-year-old Ekpata Gedoni to boot.
Following this development, a spokesperson for Ms Kareem released a statement saying the following:
“A PC, attached to the Met’s transformation command, requested permission to take part in a reality television entertainment show in Nigeria. Permission was not given.
“The Met is aware that the officer has since appeared on the show without authority.
“The Met does not support the officer’s appearance nor does she represent the Met whilst appearing on the show.”
The force added that any officer found to have breached police standards of professional behaviour could face misconduct proceedings.
In its statement Africa Magic added: “Police officer Khafi Kareem believes that you can have it all if you believe in yourself.
“She is not only hoping to win the prize money but she wants the exposure that being in Big Brother Naija House brings so that she can do societal good.
“What people don’t know about her is that she is secretly talented in spoken word, singing and dancing. She is an Ekiti native who resides in London.”
Although, it is not yet fully clear what Khafi intends to do after she leaves the house, her profile on the Big Brother Naija website shows that she plans to spend the prize money on hosting a travel show in Nigeria, as well as investing in works of charity.
It is clear though that the police officer intended to leave the option of retreating to her life as a Met Police Officer open should she leave the show without substantial winnings.
The response put forward by her team may be misconstrued as a representation of her identity, an “Ekiti woman living in London”, therefore, a foreigner not to be perceived as belonging to the society.
Perhaps, her rep should have stopped at informing the Met that Khafi will respond when she can. That is if they were not relaying a pre-written message by Ms Kareem upon her entry to the Big Brother Naija house.
