The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has clarified that it cannot take formal action regarding singer Simi in the absence of evidence or testimony from alleged victims.
The development follows renewed public attention on tweets Simi posted in 2012, which referenced interactions with toddlers at her mother’s daycare. The tweets resurfaced after Simi publicly spoke against rape, prompting critics to accuse her of hypocrisy.
Speaking on Morning Brief on Channels Television, DSVA Executive Secretary Lola Vivour-Adeniyi explained that the agency has a responsibility to conduct a preliminary review.
“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 said.
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Vivour-Adeniyi, however, stressed the legal and procedural constraints of moving forward without cooperation from alleged survivors.
“The truth of the matter is that it’s going to be very difficult to prosecute the lady without a survivor being present,” she added.
The DSVA head urged anyone who may have been affected to step forward. “A victim of whatever it is, sexual abuse, sexual assault, or defilement should step forward. This is to start the process, document, and ensure that their statement is taken. Then we will know where we are going on the matter,” Vivour-Adeniyi said.
Simi has clarified that her old tweets were innocent and misinterpreted. She noted that she was 23 at the time, helping at her mother’s daycare while pursuing her music career.
“I have always spoken against rape and sexual assault, even before you knew I existed. It’s not a costume I’m wearing, it’s who I am,” she wrote, reaffirming her long-standing stance against sexual violence.
