CSOs call for arrest of ‘Mr Commonsense’ over unsubstantiated allegations against prominent Kogi leaders
A coalition of civil society organisations has written to the acting Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, requesting the immediate arrest and investigation of a social media content creator, King Joel Agho, popularly known as Mr Common Sense over unsubstantiated allegations against prominent Kogi leaders, including former Governor Yahaya Bello.
The coalition claimed that King Agho had made sufficient unsubstantiated allegations in a viral video on the alleged disappearance of one Mr. Onimisi, which were capable of causing public unrest and also bordered on defamation.
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In a letter dated February 26, 2026, and addressed to the IGP, the coalition, comprising the Centre for Rights Advocacy and Protection, Arise Nigeria for Human Rights and Policy Advocacy; and Integrity in Nigeria, said it was concerned about the trend on social media where claims were usually made irresponsibly without substance.
The petition, signed by the Convener of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, Dr Chinedu Ohalete, noted that this was not the first time Agho would be involved in mischievously maligning people and engaging in deliberate character assassination of individuals.
The CSOs quoted him to have said that the missing individual was chased and taken away during the tenure of the immediate past governor of Kogi State, “a statement that is currently generating heat and acrimony across the state.”
“This to the Civil Society is a clear and direct allegation of murder or abduction which must not be allowed to go uninvestigated.
“Our intel reveals that the accuser, King Joel Agho, is not based in Nigeria, which makes it necessary for the police to activate the Interpol System to get assistance and ensure that he is brought to Nigeria to give further testimony that will help in the investigation,” the activists stated.
They added, “Our society is governed by law. The Inspector General of Police will agree with us on the principle of law that says he who alleges must prove. A situation where people hide under the cover of being in another land to make very heavy allegations with the intention of instigating crisis back home should not be tolerated.
“Nigeria has for long shouldered the consequences of activities of so called activists who derive joy in stoking anarchy and tension in our land, through their unguarded comments targeted at defaming, instigating and causing crisis.
“Such unpatriotic de-marketing of our dear country and citizens who have contributed modestly in advancing the frontiers of development should not be allowed to be the order of the day. Sadly, it has continued because there has not been commensurate consequences to intentional blackmail.”
According to the activists, former Governor Yahaya Bello has gone down history as one of the governors under whose watch human rights were not only respected but seen to have been protected.
“The civil space was free for both opposition and civil society organizations like ours. There was no single case of arrest or detention as a result of criticism of the person of Yahaya Bello or Kogi State government under him.
“We are appealing to the IGP to take needed steps, including involving the International Police network to ensure swift extradition of King Joel Agho to Nigeria to give further explanations that will aid investigation and serve justice,” the CSOs said.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, FEBRUARY 28TH 2026)
