Why it’ll be difficult to prosecute Simi over her tweets – Lagos DSVA

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has said prosecuting allegations involving popular singer Simi would be extremely difficult without a survivor willing to come forward and formally report the matter.

Executive Secretary of the agency, Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the presence of a complainant is crucial to initiating legal proceedings, urging anyone who may have been affected to step forward and have their statement taken.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Vivour-Adeniyi explained that while authorities have a duty to treat allegations of abuse or misconduct seriously, the legal process cannot move forward without direct testimony.

“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.

She noted, however, that prosecution would remain unlikely in the absence of a survivor prepared to officially report the incident.

“The truth is that it will be very difficult to prosecute without a survivor being present,” she added.

The agency also said it has referred the case to the commissioner of police to conduct some preliminary investigations.