The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has addressed growing public calls for an investigation into Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko also known popularly as Simi, following the resurfacing of her old tweets from over a decade ago, which some have interpreted as troubling or linked to allegations of sexual misconduct.
In an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary of the DSVA, stated that the agency takes such reports seriously and has referred the matter to the Commissioner of Police for a preliminary investigation.
Vivour-Adeniyi shared that there will be challenges in pursuing legal action without direct complainant involvement. “It is going to be very difficult to prosecute Simi without a survivor being present,” she said. She urged anyone who may have been allegedly sexually assaulted by the singer to come forward, provide statements, and support the process. “To start the process, we encourage anybody who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Simi to please come forward and ensure that their statement is taken.”
As of now, no survivor has publicly come forward or been identified in connection with the allegations stemming from the resurfaced tweets. The DSVA’s position highlights that effective prosecution in sexual violence cases typically requires testimony from victims or survivors to substantiate claims.
The controversy erupted after Simi spoke out strongly against rape culture and sexual violence in recent discussions, prompting critics to dig up her past social media posts. Simi has since addressed the backlash, clarifying the context of the old tweets and reaffirming her stance against sexual assault.