The Ondo state police command has redeployed the divisionalpolice officer (DPO) of Enu-Owa division in Ondo west LGA over “unprofessionalhandling” of a case involving Adefolarin Ayomiposi, a social media influencerpopularly known as Mandykiss. In a statement on Tuesday, Adebowale Lawal, the commissionerof police in Ondo, said the decision was taken after a video surfaced onlineshowing Mandykiss filming and taking photographs of two female suspects inpolice custody—an act that has sparked a public outrage and raised questionsabout due process in law enforcement. On Saturday, Mandykiss confronted a mother-daughter duo,known online as Honeymoon and Mormor, accusing them of a sustained campaign ofcyberbullying against her. The conflict between the trio culminated in a police stationvisit after online exchanges escalated into personal threats. However, the police commissioner said preliminaryinvestigations revealed that no officer was present during the purported arrestled by Mandykiss. “Instead, the influencer was allegedly assisted by hersocial media followers, who provided information that led to the arrest of thesuspects, identified as Mrs Akinwole Sabitu and her daughter, Miss AkinwoleOyindamola,” the statement reads. “The duo was accused of cyberbullying Mandykiss, but theinfluencer was seen in a viral video recording herself with the suspects insideher vehicle while conveying them to the police station. “Upon arrival, she handed them over to the police but wentfurther to take their photographs within the station premises and post them onher social media platforms. “This is an act contrary to standard police procedure andinconsistent with the legal principle of presumption of innocence until provenguilty. “This sequence of events demonstrated a clear lapse insupervisory responsibility and professional judgement on the part of the DPO.” Lawal described the development as a “serious breach ofprocedure and professionalism”, noting that the DPO’s failure to maintaindecorum and enforce standard police practices necessitated his immediateredeployment. “The Command will not condone any act capable of erodingpublic confidence in the Nigeria Police Force,” the commissioner declared,noting that recording or photographing suspects in custody violates establishedethical standards and undermines the presumption of innocence guaranteed underthe law. He reiterated that every police officer has a duty tosafeguard the rights of suspects and complainants alike, stressing that theconduct of the Enu-Owa DPO fell short of the discipline, integrity, andprofessionalism expected within the force.
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