The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, has stated that prosecuting singer and songwriter Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, over allegations of assault would be challenging without an identified victim.
Simi recently came under scrutiny after social media users resurfaced tweets she posted in 2012 while working at her mother’s daycare.
The posts, which referenced minors, sparked backlash, with some online commentators alleging that the tweets were inappropriate and demanding legal action.
Addressing the controversy during Thursday’s edition of a breakfast programme, Vivour-Adeniyi noted that although the agency has an obligation to examine the claims, moving forward with prosecution would be difficult in the absence of a complainant.
“The truth of the matter is that it’s going to be very difficult to prosecute the lady without a survivor being present, a victim of whatever it is, whether it’s sexual abuse, rape, defilement, or sexual assault by provocation,” she said.
“It’s to start the process, encourage anybody who has allegedly been sexually assaulted by Simi to please come forward and ensure that their statement is taken, and then we know where we are going on the matter,” the DSVA scribe said.
She disclosed that the state’s task force on safeguarding and child protection has been informed about the issue.
“The task force that comprises top-level representatives, relevant government offices, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, basically all the relevant institutions of government.
“They assist with the responsibility of ensuring safety and protection of children, especially the child’s centered institutions,” Vivour-Adeniyi added.
However, she pointed out that officials may not inspect the daycare owned by the singer’s mother, citing uncertainty over whether the facility is still operational.
In response to the backlash, Simi issued a statement on her X account, defending herself against the allegations tied to the resurfaced tweets.
“I haven’t been on Twitter today – but someone brought a few of my old tweets to my attention, and I can’t address them.
“14 years ago, I was 23, so I was definitely not a child. I’m not here to make excuses because I don’t have anything to make excuses for. What I can’t let anyone do is twist my story to fit false narratives.”
The singer explained that she lived with and assisted at her mother’s daycare in 2012 while pursuing her music career.
“I tweeted everything that happened in my life, as we all did at the time. Kids can be mischievous. If a child did something I found funny, I tweeted about it.
“Kids are cute and lovable. I want to hug, kiss, and cuddle them. I tweet about it. Nothing I tweeted was from perversion,” Simi explained.
The renewed attention followed her recent reaction to an alleged rape case involving TikTok influencer Mirabel.
“I’m sick of this. STOP RAPING WOMEN. They need to castrate rapists and burn them,” the singer wrote following Mirabel’s claims.
