The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has referred claims arising from old social media posts by Nigerian singer, Simisola Kosoko, aka Simi to the Commissioner of Police for preliminary investigation. 

Speaking during a programme on Channels Television, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the agency could not ignore the controversy surrounding the resurfaced posts.

“As for the Simi case, we cannot act like we have not seen these things and so we have a duty to at least commence a preliminary investigation,” she said.

Mrs Vivour-Adeniyi, however, noted that prosecution would be difficult without a survivor coming forward. 

According to her, the presence of a victim alleging sexual abuse, sexual assault, or defilement is crucial before any criminal case can proceed.

“This is to start the process, encourage anybody who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Simi should please come forward, and ensure that their statement is taken. Then we will know where we are going on the matter,” she said.

She disclosed that the matter had been referred to the state commissioner of police to conduct a preliminary probe especially amid reports that the alleged incidents occurred in a crèche managed by the singer’s mother.

“What we’ve done is actually to refer the case to the commissioner of police to at least conduct preliminary investigation,” she said.

Mrs Vivour-Adeniyi added that child protection concerns had been escalated to the appropriate authorities, including a task force responsible for implementing safeguarding and child protection orders in Lagos State, briefed on the development.

She further stated that the Lagos State Government had invested significantly in “building the capacity of the police to conduct thorough investigations,” into domestic and sexual violence cases.

She spoke amid public criticism over resurfaced posts made years ago by Simi while she assisted at her mother’s daycare.

Many described the posts as disturbing but the singer maintained that they were innocent and not borne out of perversion.