Nigerian singer Simi has come under intense scrutiny on social media following the revelation that a widely publicized rape claim by TikToker Mirabel was false.
The case has reignited debates over sexual violence, false accusations, and mental health awareness in Nigeria.
The controversy began on February 18, when a TikTok video from Mirabel alleged that she had been raped and injured with a blade inside her home.
The video quickly went viral, drawing outrage and emotional reactions across the internet. Many initially condemned the alleged perpetrator, while others expressed skepticism, citing inconsistencies and accusing Mirabel of seeking attention.
Amid the online debate, Simi weighed in on X, addressing the broader issue of rape culture. She called on men to hold each other accountable and questioned why society often reacts defensively when rapists are exposed.
However, her comments sparked criticism from some users who argued that she overlooked the reality of false allegations.
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The backlash intensified when an old tweet from 2016 resurfaced, and a fake apology screenshot began circulating as a meme. Social media users also dubbed her the nickname “Ikorodu Celine Dion.”
Simi responded by reaffirming the prevalence of sexual violence and the importance of not silencing genuine victims.
She wrote, “Almost every woman I know personally has been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives. You can’t think it’s okay to shut people up from speaking up about assault because some people lie.” She emphasized accountability while clarifying her focus was on ending sexual violence, concluding with: “STOP RAPING WOMEN!!”
The situation took a new turn after controversial activist VeryDarkMan reported speaking with Mirabel over the phone.
According to him, Mirabel admitted that her rape allegation was fabricated. She confessed to creating a fake TikTok account that had been sending her messages and described herself as lost and helpless.
Further details revealed that Mirabel is an 18-year-old orphan, identifies as a lesbian, and has struggled with alcohol and codeine addiction, as well as self-harm.
VeryDarkMan called for public understanding and forgiveness, urging Nigerians to consider her mental health challenges and announcing plans to transfer her to a rehabilitation centre.
Authorities have since transferred the case to Ogun State for further investigation.
The incident continues to generate discussion online, highlighting the complex intersections of sexual violence, false allegations, accountability, and mental health in viral social media cases.