Judge Slams Bash Ali for Wasting Court’s Time, Dismisses ₦500bn Extortion : defamation Suit Against Sunday Dare

Judge Slams Bash Ali for Wasting Court’s Time, Dismisses ₦500bn Extortion : defamation Suit Against Sunday Dare

By Niyi Busari 

 The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, has dismissed a ₦500 billion lawsuit filed by former world cruiserweight boxing champion, Bash Ali, against former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, and the National Sports Commission, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Delivering the ruling on Thursday, Justice U.P. Kekemeke presided over proceedings in Court 4, where he struck out the case on grounds of lack of merit, describing it as “frivolous” and “a waste of the court’s time.” The court also ruled that the matter was status-barred and that neither the Ministry of Sports nor Sunday Dare signed any contract to host the purported Guinness World Record boxing event promoted by Bash Ali.

Details of the Dismissed Allegations:

Bash Ali had for years alleged that Sunday Dare extorted ₦13 million from him and deliberately sabotaged efforts to organize a Guinness Book World Record boxing fight in Nigeria. He also claimed that the federal government facilitated a payment of $12 million in connection with the event.

However, the court found these allegations unsubstantiated:

On the $12 Million Claim: The court noted that the alleged payment occurred before Sunday Dare assumed office as Sports Minister, and he was neither present at any related meeting nor involved in any transaction regarding the sum. There was no file treated by Dare concerning the alleged amount.

On the ₦13 Million Extortion Claim: The court traced the origin of the claim to a previously concluded case involving former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung. Bash Ali had initially won a ₦28 million judgment against Dalung for battery (Suit No. CA/A/893/2017). Upon assuming office, Dare reviewed the matter and facilitated a negotiated out-of-court settlement of ₦15 million, executed and signed by all parties — including Bash Ali and his lawyer, B.O. Nafagha, on May 20, 2020. Official receipts and documentation of this payment exist. The court concluded that the difference between the original award and the negotiated amount — ₦13 million — was being misrepresented by Bash Ali as an extortion, with no supporting evidence.

On the Alleged Sabotage of the Fight: The Ministry of Sports, under Dare, reviewed Bash Ali’s proposal in line with the decisions of past administrations and declined to sponsor the event. A letter dated January 7, 2020, titled “Re: Bash Ali’s Guinness World Boxing Project”, was issued to Ali, warning him against publicizing false claims of approval. The letter, signed by the Director of Legal Services, was also copied to his legal counsel.

On Claims of Government Commitment: Over a 19-year period, Ali has pushed for the event to hold, engaging with multiple administrations — from Presidents to Ministers. However, successive governments, citing lack of clarity, legitimacy, and legal backing, have consistently declined to endorse or sign a formal contract with him for the event.

A Pattern of Unfounded Claims

The court observed a pattern of defamation and unsubstantiated allegations by Ali, not only against Sunday Dare but also targeting five previous Sports Ministers. The ruling casts serious doubt on the credibility of his longstanding campaign.

Reacting to the judgment, Sunday Dare expressed relief, stating: “Justice has been served. This marks the end of a baseless campaign of defamation and distortion. The truth has finally prevailed.”