Why Prosecuting Simi Over Paedophilia Allegations Is Difficult – Lagos DSVA

Why Prosecuting Simi Over Paedophilia Allegations Is Difficult – Lagos DSVA

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has explained why prosecuting singer-songwriter and actress Simisola Kosoko (Simi) over recent paedophilia allegations would be legally difficult, citing the absence of a survivor or formal complainant.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, said prosecution in cases of alleged sexual abuse cannot proceed effectively without a victim willing to make an official report.

According to her, criminal prosecution requires a survivor who can provide testimony or a complainant whose report can be investigated and documented in line with due process.

“The truth is that it will be very difficult to prosecute without a survivor being present,” Vivour-Adeniyi said during the programme.

The controversy erupted after old posts from Simi’s X (formerly Twitter) account resurfaced online, with some social media users alleging that the posts, made over a decade ago, suggested inappropriate references to toddlers at her mother’s daycare centre. The development triggered accusations of paedophilia against the singer and widespread public debate.

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Simi, who is 37, came under renewed scrutiny shortly after she publicly expressed concern about rising cases of sexual assault in Nigeria, following TikToker Mirabel’s now-discredited rape allegation. After Mirabel admitted that her claim was false, online users revisited Simi’s historical posts from around 2012, reigniting criticism.

The resurfaced posts allegedly referenced a young child expressing affection toward her, with wording that many users described as inappropriate. The singer later clarified that the posts were made when she was 23 years old, while she was assisting at her mother’s daycare, and insisted that they were poorly worded jokes, not reflections of abusive behaviour.

Despite her explanation, public pressure mounted, with calls for authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly. In response, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) stated via its official Instagram page that it is committed to investigating all credible reports related to child abuse or exploitation.

NAPTIP urged anyone with verifiable information, evidence, direct knowledge, or personal experience connected to the allegations to come forward, stressing that investigations must be evidence-driven.

Adding further context, Vivour-Adeniyi said that allegations involving potential child abuse should never be ignored, even when they originate from social media. She called on the Ogun State Government to initiate a preliminary investigation, given that the daycare referenced was reportedly located in the state.

She explained that once allegations surface, relevant authorities have a duty to assess, document, and verify the claims before determining whether legal thresholds for prosecution have been met.

“As for the Simi case, we cannot pretend that we have not seen these reports. We have a duty to at least begin a preliminary investigation,” she said.

However, Vivour-Adeniyi reiterated that the lack of direct testimony, formal complaints, or identifiable survivors significantly limits how far legal action can go. She stressed that criminal cases must be built on admissible evidence, not public outrage or online interpretation.

She encouraged anyone who may have experienced or witnessed sexual abuse, assault, exploitation, or misconduct to formally report to the appropriate authorities, noting that reporting is essential for proper documentation and lawful investigation.

According to her, once a formal statement is obtained, agencies would be better positioned to determine the next course of action, whether criminal, civil, or administrative.

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency emphasized that while no allegation involving children should be trivialized, investigations must still follow due process, fairness, and the rule of law, to protect both potential victims and the integrity of the justice system.

Why Prosecuting Simi Over Paedophilia Allegations Is Difficult – Lagos DSVA