Perekeme Bows, Apologises to Azikel CEO Over Aviation Scholarship Post Amid Legal Threat
By Passman Akpos
YENAGOA — Social media commentator and public affairs advocate, Dr. Perekeme Fidelis Perekeme Jr., has issued an open letter of apology to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Azikel Group of Companies, Dr. Eruani Azibapu, over his decision to share a Facebook publication relating to the company’s aviation scholarship programme.
The apology follows a legal demand issued by ALIYU LEMU, SAN & CO., solicitors to Dr. Eruani and the Azikel Group, over a Facebook post shared on July 26, 2026, titled: “Alleged Aviation Scholarship Scam: Second Successful Candidate Sues Dr. Eruani Azibapu and Azikel Group for ₦1.9 Billion.”
In the open letter, Perekeme stated that he was not the author of the publication but merely shared content originally written by Ebilate Amabebe, who identified himself as one of the aggrieved parties in the dispute.
According to him, the intention behind sharing the post was to draw attention to concerns that had already entered the public domain and to encourage clarification and engagement from all parties involved.
He explained that before reposting the publication, he had independently written another Facebook post titled “A Call for Clarity, Fairness and Justice,” where he appealed to Dr. Eruani to publicly clarify the allegations while urging members of the public not to rush to judgment. He noted that Dr. Eruani’s Special Assistant and spokesperson, Austin Ebibade, had responded to those concerns.
Perekeme maintained that at no point did he describe Dr. Eruani as a scammer or intend to damage his reputation.
«”A careful review of my statements will reveal that I neither intended to defame your person nor did I, at any point, describe you as a scammer. My actions were guided by a sincere desire to promote dialogue, fairness, and an amicable resolution of the issues raised,” he wrote.»
Describing himself as a law-abiding citizen who respects the rule of law, Perekeme said the young men involved in the dispute were members of the same community and expressed hope for a peaceful resolution of the matter.
Recognising that the dispute is now before a court of competent jurisdiction, he tendered what he described as a “sincere and unreserved apology” to Dr. Eruani for sharing the publication.
“It was never my intention to cause harm to your reputation or to prejudice any ongoing legal proceedings. I deeply regret any inconvenience, misunderstanding, or distress that my actions may have caused,” the letter stated.
The development comes after Tarakirivoice reported that Dr. Eruani and the Azikel Group, through their solicitors, threatened legal action against Perekeme over the Facebook publication, demanding its removal, a public retraction, and an apology.
The lawyers had also requested an undertaking that he would refrain from publishing or circulating similar allegations concerning Dr. Eruani, the Azikel Group, or its aviation scholarship programme.
Earlier, Perekeme reacted humorously to the legal threat on Facebook, writing, “Abeg keep me for Okaka, Kuje too far for me o,” a post that generated widespread reactions online.
The controversy stems from allegations surrounding the Azikel Aviation Scholarship Programme and related lawsuits reportedly filed by some beneficiaries. Those allegations have been strongly denied by Dr. Eruani and the Azikel Group, who insist they are false and defamatory.
The underlying legal disputes concerning the scholarship programme remain pending before the courts, where all parties are expected to present their respective cases. Until judgment is delivered, the allegations remain unproven, and the courts will determine the merits of the claims and defences presented by the parties.
