The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has referred the controversy surrounding resurfaced tweets allegedly linked to singer Simi to the Commissioner of Police for preliminary investigation.
The agency’s Executive Secretary, Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, disclosed this on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television, stating that the agency could not ignore the allegations that have generated widespread debate online.
The controversy began after Simi made social media comments condemning rape, urging men to stop raping women, suggesting that rapists should be castrated, and asserting that “almost every woman she knows has been sexually assaulted.” Her remarks sparked significant online discussions.
Shortly afterwards, screenshots of old tweets believed to date back to 2012 and 2013 resurfaced and began circulating widely. Some of the posts appeared to reference children at her mother’s daycare, including comments that critics described as inappropriate. The tweets triggered backlash from some social media users, who interpreted them as troubling and accused the singer of misconduct.
In response, Simi addressed the issue on her social media platforms, explaining that the posts reflected her youthful expressions at the time and her experiences assisting at her mother’s daycare. She maintained that the tweets were not written from a place of perversion and argued that they had been taken out of context.
Reacting to the development, Vivour-Adeniyi said the agency had been monitoring the situation, noting that the matter—dubbed “Simi Gates” by some online commentators—raised safeguarding and child protection concerns, particularly amid claims that the alleged incidents may have occurred at a creche managed by the singer’s mother.
She said the agency had escalated the issue by formally referring it to the Commissioner of Police to conduct a preliminary investigation. According to her, the state’s safeguarding task force, which is responsible for implementing child protection policies, has also been briefed, and preliminary inquiries are underway.
Vivour-Adeniyi stressed that while the agency has a duty to initiate preliminary investigations, any potential prosecution would depend on the availability of a complainant.
She called on anyone who may have been affected to come forward and provide a statement, noting that it would be difficult to pursue legal action without a survivor willing to testify.
The agency reiterated its commitment to safeguarding and ensuring that all allegations relating to sexual and child abuse are treated with the seriousness they deserve.
