“Abeg Keep Me for Okaka, Kuje Too Far” — Perekeme Jokes as Azikel, Dr. Eruani Threaten Defamation Suit
By Passman Akpos
YENAGOA — The President of the Azikel Group of Companies, Dr. Eruani Azibabu, CFR, and the Azikel Group have threatened legal action against social media commentator Perekeme Fidelis Perekeme over what they described as a false, malicious and defamatory Facebook publication concerning the company’s aviation scholarship programme.
According to a letter issued by the law firm of Aliyu Lemu, SAN & Co., signed by Principal Partner A.I. Lemu, SAN, the publication titled “Alleged Aviation Scholarship Scam: Second Successful Candidate Sues Dr. Eruani Azibabu and Azikel Group for N1.9 Billion” allegedly contained defamatory statements capable of damaging the reputation of Dr. Eruani and the Azikel Group.
The legal team demanded that Perekeme retract the publication within 48 hours of receiving the letter and permanently remove the Facebook post, including all associated captions, comments, reposts and related content under his control.
The lawyers further directed him to immediately cease and desist from publishing, republishing, repeating, sharing or circulating what they described as defamatory allegations against Dr. Eruani, the Azikel Group or the aviation scholarship programme.
In addition, the letter requested that Perekeme publish a “full, clear, unequivocal and unreserved” apology and retraction on the same Facebook account through which the original publication appeared.
According to the demands, the apology must enjoy substantially the same prominence and visibility as the original post and remain publicly accessible for at least one month.
The legal representatives also insisted that the retraction should expressly state that the Azikel Aviation Scholarship Programme is not a scam and acknowledge that the earlier publication created a false and misleading impression about Dr. Eruani and the company.
The letter further requested a written undertaking within seven days confirming compliance with the demands and promising not to publish any further allegedly false or defamatory statements concerning the company or its chairman.
Perekeme Reacts
Reacting to the development on Facebook, Perekeme Fidelis Perekeme wrote humorously:
«”Abeg keep me for Okaka, Kuje too far for me o. What if Barrister dey play for Opolo, how I go take reach there.”»
The post has since generated reactions from social media users.
Background to the Dispute
The legal threat followed an earlier Facebook publication alleging that Yebei Amabebe, one of two successful candidates selected under the Azikel Aviation Scholarship Programme, had filed a N1.9 billion lawsuit against Dr. Eruani and the Azikel Group at the Bayelsa State High Court.
According to that publication, the suit alleged breach of contract and claimed the scholarship programme failed to deliver on its promise of sponsoring successful candidates for aviation training abroad. The report also alleged that the programme was used to recruit candidates into prolonged in-house work rather than overseas training.
The publication referenced Suit No. BYHC/YHC/CV/386/2026, in which the claimant reportedly seeks specific performance of the contract and monetary damages
It also referred to an earlier lawsuit filed by another trainee, Kariyai Daukoru, and ongoing legal proceedings arising from disputes connected to the scholarship programme.
Matter Before the Court
The allegations contained in the earlier publication remain disputed. Through its solicitors, Dr. Eruani and the Azikel Group have rejected the claims, describing them as false and defamatory.
The substantive issues surrounding the aviation scholarship programme and the related lawsuits are currently subject to legal proceedings. The courts will determine the merits of the claims and defences presented by the parties.
Both Dr. Eruani and the claimants are entitled to the presumption that their respective legal positions will be fairly considered until the matters are determined by the courts.
