14th May, 2024
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi has called out the police over their method of handling a case of alleged child exploitation.
Police had arrested a young man named Musa Suleman after allegedly posting semi-nude photos of his four-year-old daughter on social media.
The police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, flagged the inappropriate content on social media, adding that the Edo state police command planned to “counsel” the father instead of pressing charges.
“This is an act of indecency and exposing the young child to moral dangers. The PPRO of Edo command will take it up and counsel the parents rather than prosecute them,” he wrote.
“Many of us do not know the implications of what we do. We will educate them, and many alike. This kind of a thing will expose the girl to the rots in our system and moral dangers. Not in all cases we prosecute, there is a room for ADR and CSR in our duties, and we shall be adopting such. @EdoPoliceNG, @PoliceNG.”
The approach sparked outrage from some X users including Simi, who took to her page to criticise the police.
“You want to “counsel” parents that blatantly and repeatedly sexually exploit a baby??? A FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD!!! Wtf is going on?????? Omg,” she wrote.
You want to "counsel" parents that blatantly and repeatedly sexually exploit a baby??? A FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD!!! Wtf is going on?????? Omg
— Simi (@SympLySimi) May 12, 2024
Suleman’s child exploitation case comes days after the Lagos sexual offences and domestic violence court sentenced Success Ude to 14 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy with hearing and speech impairments.
Ude pleaded not guilty to the charge when he was first arraigned on February 17, 2022.
During the ruling on May 9, the judge held that all evidence presented in the case indicates the defendant’s guilt, leading to a conviction under section 262 of the criminal law.