‘He Did Nothing Wrong,’ Kariyai’s Wife Declares as WADCG Defends Court Action
By Passman Akpos
The legal dispute between the President of Azikel Group, Dr. Eruani Azibapu Godbless, CFR, and Bayelsa-based activist Kariyai Daukoru has continued to generate public attention, as the Wealth and Development Creation Group (WADCG) praised the judiciary’s handling of the matter while Daukoru’s family appealed for public support following the postponement of his bail ruling.
WADCG, a transparency advocacy group, commended the judiciary over the handling of the alleged cyberbullying and criminal defamation case involving Daukoru, who is currently facing criminal charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a statement signed by its President, Comrade David Adolphus Jnr., the group described the court’s actions as a demonstration that the rule of law remains active in Nigeria, stressing that social media users must exercise caution in making public statements capable of damaging the reputation of others.
According to WADCG, the criminal proceedings arose from a petition allegedly filed by Dr. Eruani Azibapu, accusing Daukoru of publishing defamatory statements online that allegedly caused reputational, emotional and psychological harm to him and members of his family.
The group noted that Daukoru had earlier instituted a ₦1 billion civil suit against Dr. Eruani and the Azikel Group but later continued discussing the dispute on social media while the matter was still before the courts.
WADCG argued that taking an ongoing legal dispute to social media amounted to trying the case in the court of public opinion instead of allowing the judiciary to determine the issues.
The group urged Daukoru to focus on defending himself in both the civil and criminal proceedings and expressed confidence that the legal process would ensure justice for all parties involved.
Daukoru Maintains Innocence
Daukoru, however, has rejected the allegations, insisting that he has committed no crime.He previously stated that the criminal charges stem from a single Facebook post in which he allegedly referred to Dr. Eruani as “a liar.”
According to him, the same post allegedly resulted in his detention at the former IRT/SARS facility, his incarceration at Kuje Correctional Centre for about three months, and now forms the basis of another prosecution before the Federal High Court
He argued that facing multiple legal proceedings based on what he described as the same evidence amounts to an abuse of court process.
Daukoru also alleged that the criminal proceedings are designed to pressure him into abandoning his pending civil action against Dr. Eruani, describing the prosecution as “state-sponsored bullying.”
Despite the legal challenges, he said he remains determined to defend himself in court and would not withdraw his claims.
Wife Appeals for Public Support
In a fresh statement released on Tuesday morning, Daukoru’s wife, Boye Kariyai, disclosed that the Federal High Court adjourned the ruling on her husband’s bail application until Tuesday, July 21, 2026, meaning he remains in custody pending the court’s decision.
She said the family had exhausted significant financial resources while defending the multiple legal cases and appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, particularly those residing in Abuja, to assist when the time comes to perfect his bail.
According to her, Daukoru has never had previous dealings with law enforcement and complied fully with the bail conditions previously granted by the Magistrate Court.
She also appealed for financial support to help the family cope with the legal expenses and his welfare while in custody, thanking those who have already provided assistance during what she described as a difficult period.
Boye maintained that her husband had committed no offence beyond pursuing justice through the courts and described him as a resilient individual who would continue to defend his rights.
Matter Still Before the Courts
The dispute has continued to attract widespread attention across Bayelsa State and beyond, raising broader conversations about freedom of expression, online criticism, protection of personal reputation, and the application of Nigeria’s cybercrime and defamation laws.
The civil and criminal proceedings remain pending before competent courts, and no final judicial determination has been made on the allegations. Under Nigerian law, all parties are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
