…Demands N500bn Damages.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Nigerian World Boxing Champion (WBC), Bash Ali, has dragged the former Minister of Sports, Mr. Sunday Akin Dare, before an Abuja High Court over alleged extortion and defamation of character.
In the case with Suit Number: FCT/HC/CV/6411/2023, Bash Ali (OON) is asking for N500 billion in damages from the former Minister of Sports, now Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu.
Also joined in the case brought before the court by Ali, through his 10-man counsel, led by former Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shitttu, are: Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (now National Sports Commission), and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by Harry Agina, Communications and Publicity Director of Bash Alli Guinness World Records Boxing Project.
According to the statement, personally posted to our Correspondent by the plaintiff, hearing on the matter is fixed for Thursday, July 3, 2025, before FCT High Court 4, sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
It would be recalled that Bash Ali had, in series of letters written to President Bola Tinubu, accused the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) through the office of the Chief of Staff to Mr. President of gotten an advance payment of $12M USD.
Accordingly, Bash Ali also accused the FGN through the then Minister of Sports and now Special Adviser on Media to Mr. President, Sunday Akin Dare, and Barr. D.A Muhammad of the National Sports Commission of extorted N13M.
He also alleged that after the former Minister of Sports and now State Minister of Trade and Investment, John Enoh, tried and failed to extort another $1M from him, the FGN has stalled the hosting of the First Guinness World Record Boxing Championship fight on the soil of Africa and the benefits to Nigeria.
According to him, his refusal to agree and cooperate with corrupt government officials was responsible for all the tactics employed to delay or retard the planned hosting of the first Guinness World Record Boxing Championship Fight on the soil of Africa, which is expected to be the most lucrative in the history of Pay Per View Television revenue.
The title of the statement reads: Press Statement: ‘Court hearing on the lawsuit by Bash Ali (OON) versus former Minister of sports & now Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Sunday Akin Dare, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development now National Sports Commission & the Federal Government of Nigeria.’
“The Charges: The first defendant, Sunday Akin Dare, is charged with extortion, defamation of the character of the World Boxing Champion, Bash Ali, OON, & the consequent Loss of Wages. Bash Ali, OON, is asking for N500B in damages. Hearing date: Thursday, July 3, 2025. Time: 9am. Location: FCT High Court No.4, Maitama, Abuja.
“Harry Agina: Communication & Publicity Director, Bash Ali Guinness World Records Boxing Project. 08022806385.
Lawsuit Case Numbers: FCT/HC/CV/6411/2023 IS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.
You are invited,” the statement stressed.