By EMTV News Desk
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A Bayelsa-born engineer and father of four, Kariyai Daukoru, has publicly accused prominent businessman and industrialist Eruani Azibapu of allegedly operating a fraudulent aviation scholarship scheme that he claims derailed his education, destroyed his livelihood, and subjected him to exploitation and legal persecution.
In a lengthy statement published on his Facebook page titled “Before You Crucify Me: Hear My Side of the Story,” Daukoru presented what he described as a personal account of his involvement in an aviation scholarship programme reportedly organized by the Azikel Group in 2024.
The claims, which have not been independently verified by EMTV and remain subject to ongoing legal proceedings, paint a picture of a bitter dispute that has now escalated into multiple court cases.
A Dream Opportunity Turns Sour
According to Daukoru, he was among hundreds of Bayelsa youths who applied for a highly publicized aviation scholarship programme that allegedly promised successful candidates training as commercial pilots and aircraft engineers in the United States.
“I was a 400-level Petroleum Engineering student, running my businesses and raising my family. The scholarship appeared to be a life-changing opportunity,” he wrote.
Daukoru claimed that after weeks of preparation and a rigorous screening process, only two candidates met the required pass mark. He identified himself and another candidate, Yebei Ebilate, as the successful applicants.
He alleged that shortly after being publicly celebrated as winners of the programme, the promised overseas training failed to materialize.
“We expected to begin preparations for our training abroad. Instead, we were informed that we would first undergo a six-month probationary period working for the company,” he stated.
Allegations of Exploitation
The Bayelsan further alleged that he and his colleague were compelled to suspend their academic pursuits and work for the company under conditions that differed significantly from the scholarship programme initially advertised.
According to him, what was presented as a temporary arrangement eventually stretched into more than a year, during which he claimed they performed both technical aviation-related duties and menial tasks.
“We did not apply for employment; we applied for education and professional training,” Daukoru asserted.
He further alleged that repeated attempts to obtain clarification regarding the promised training programme were ignored by company officials.
Questions Over International Partnerships
A major aspect of Daukoru’s claims centers on alleged representations made about partnerships with international aviation institutions and organizations.
He claimed he later contacted foreign organizations, including the United States Embassy and major airlines, seeking verification of partnerships that had reportedly been cited during the scholarship campaign.
According to Daukoru, responses he received indicated that no such partnerships existed.
He argued that these discoveries reinforced his belief that the scholarship programme was never intended to achieve its publicly stated objectives.
Court Battle and Counter-Allegations
The dispute has since moved into the legal arena.
Daukoru disclosed that he filed a lawsuit at the Bayelsa State High Court in February 2026 seeking redress over the scholarship programme and its aftermath.
He further alleged that after instituting legal action, he became the target of a coordinated campaign aimed at discrediting him through media publications and criminal complaints.
The claimant also accused law enforcement officers and individuals connected to the matter of subjecting him to unlawful detention, intimidation, and violations of his fundamental rights.
Among the most serious allegations contained in his statement are claims of torture, prolonged detention, judicial pressure, and attempts to compel him to withdraw his lawsuit.
“This Is Bigger Than Me”
Daukoru maintained that his decision to speak publicly was motivated by concerns that similar opportunities could be used to exploit young people if left unchallenged.
“This case is bigger than me. It is about whether powerful individuals can use the dreams of young people for public relations and then discard them without accountability,” he wrote.
He described the legal battle as a struggle for justice, insisting that the courts should determine the merits of the allegations and evidence presented by both parties.
Awaiting Judicial Determination
The allegations made by Daukoru are extensive and serious, ranging from breach of promise and labour exploitation to claims of abuse of legal processes.
As of the time of this report, the matters referenced by the claimant are reportedly before the courts, and no judicial determination has been made regarding the validity of the allegations.
Under the principles of fair hearing and the presumption of innocence, all parties involved remain entitled to present their evidence and defenses before the competent courts.
The outcome of the ongoing litigation is expected to provide greater clarity on the claims and counterclaims surrounding what Daukoru describes as one of the most painful chapters of his life.
“I trusted a promise that I believed would change my future,” Daukoru concluded. “Now I am asking the courts to determine whether that promise was genuine or whether it was something else entirely.”
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