The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, has said it will be difficult to prosecute singer Simi over resurfaced old tweets.
The tweets, posted when Simi was 23 and helping at her mother’s daycare, drew criticism after Nigerians highlighted a post in which she mentioned a four-year-old child and questioned whether she “should give him a chance.”
In response to the backlash, Simi explained that the tweets were made about 14 years ago, reflecting her daily life at the time, often sharing humorous or cute moments involving children. She emphasized that the posts were never intended inappropriately and stated she has always been a strong advocate against sexual abuse.
On February 24, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons announced an investigation into alleged sexual assault cases at daycare centers across Nigeria, following an X user’s claim that he and other children were allegedly abused at the daycare run by Simi’s mother.
Speaking to Channels TV, Vivour-Adeniyi said prosecution would be difficult without a survivor coming forward.
We cannot act like we have not seen this case, so we have a duty to at least commence a preliminary investigation. But the truth is, it will be very difficult to prosecute the lady without a survivor. A victim of whatever it is—sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault by provocation—needs to come forward. We encourage anyone allegedly sexually assaulted by Simi to please come forward.
A video of her remarks is circulating online.
