The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) says it cannot move forward with any prosecution involving singer Simi without evidence or testimony from an alleged victim.
The agency’s position follows renewed attention on tweets posted by the artiste in 2012, which referenced interactions with toddlers at her mother’s daycare. The posts resurfaced online, triggering debate and criticism.
Speaking on Morning Brief on Channels Television, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the agency is obligated to conduct a preliminary review when such matters come into the public domain.
“As for the Simi case, we cannot act like we have not seen these things. We have a duty to at least commence a preliminary investigation,” she stated.
However, Vivour-Adeniyi stressed that prosecution would be difficult without the cooperation or statement of a survivor.
“The truth of the matter is that it’s going to be very difficult to prosecute the lady without a survivor being present,” she said.
She urged anyone who may have been affected to come forward, explaining that a formal complaint is necessary to document claims and determine the appropriate course of action.
The controversy intensified after Simi publicly condemned rape, prompting some critics to accuse her of hypocrisy in light of the resurfaced tweets.
The singer has since addressed the issue, maintaining that the posts were taken out of context. She explained that she was 23 years old at the time and assisting at her mother’s daycare while building her music career.
Reaffirming her stance against sexual violence, Simi wrote that she has consistently spoken out against rape and assault long before she became widely known, describing her advocacy as a core part of who she is.
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