REPORT : As Court Strikes Out Bash Ali’s defamation Suit, Documents, Findings Discredit His Allegations Against Ex-Sports Minister Sunday Dare

REPORT : As Court Strikes Out Bash Ali’s defamation Suit, Documents, Findings Discredit His Allegations Against Ex-Sports Minister Sunday Dare

By Admin 

Official court documents and records obtained by [Publication Name] contradict recent allegations made by veteran boxer Bashiru "Bash" Ali against former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, and the Federal Ministry of Sports.

Bash Ali, who has been at the center of a 20-year long-running and controversial push to stage a Guinness World Record boxing event in Nigeria, has revived claims accusing Dare of financial misconduct and obstruction. However, a review of official records reveal a different picture—one that suggests a pattern of misinformation , defamation and misrepresentation by Bash Ali.

Claim 1: The Court case was instituted by Bash in 2023

The suit, FCT/HC/CV/6411/2023: Mr. Bashiru Ali v. Hon. Sunday Dare, Sports Ministry, and Attorney General of the Federation—was filed in 2023 . On July 3rd the FCT High Court dismissed the case and warned Ali not to waste the time of the court.  

Claim 2: Sunday Dare Had No Involvement in Alleged $12 Million Payout

Bash Ali has alleged that $12 million was paid to a former Chief of Staff linked to the Sports Ministry. However, multiple sources confirm that Sunday Dare was not in office at the time of the alleged transaction and had no involvement in any such meetings or decisions. The Ministry has challenged Ali to produce names, dates, and evidence of such a payment—none of which have been provided.

Claim 3: The N13 Million ‘Extortion’ Claim Is Misleading and blatant lie.  

One of the defamatory allegations by Ali is that Dare and the Ministry’s legal head extorted N13 million from him. However, this claim unravels upon scrutiny.

In 2017, Ali won a N28 million damages award against former Minister Solomon Dalung for assault (Suit No. CA/A/893/2017). When Sunday Dare assumed office in 2019, he reviewed the case and facilitated a settlement.

According to Appeal No. FCT/HC/1035/2017, a mutual agreement was reached in 2020 between Bash Ali (represented by his lawyer, B.O. Nafagha, Esq.), the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, and the Director of Legal Services. The agreed sum of N15 million was paid in full, and a receipt exists to confirm this. Bash Ali and his lawyer signed the Terms of Settlement. The documents are at the Appeal court. 

Ali’s recent claim of extortion is based on the difference between the original court award (N28m) and the settled amount (N15m)—a figure he now falsely presents as money “stolen” or “extorted,” despite having personally signed the settlement documents.

Claim 4: Allegations of Sabotaging Guinness Fight Are Unfounded

Ali also accuses Dare of sabotaging his proposed Guinness World Record boxing event. However, ministry documents, including a letter dated January 7, 2020, signed by the then Director of Legal Services, Mr. Mohammed Duroj, show that the decision not to endorse or sponsor the project was based on cumulative reviews by successive Ministers and directives from the Presidency under Muhammadu Buhari.

The letter clearly warned Ali against misrepresenting the government’s stance or making false public claims.

Claim 5: Over 19 Years of Unapproved Proposals and a Pattern of Defamation

Since the early 2000s, Bash Ali has persistently lobbied for the boxing event, yet his proposals have failed to secure official endorsement under five Presidents and five Sports Ministers—raising long-standing concerns about the project’s legitimacy.

Instead, Ali has turned to allegations and blackmail tactics, targeting nearly every Sports Minister who declined to support his proposal. Sunday Dare appears to be the latest victim in this pattern.

Key Takeaways:

1. Court-Approved Settlement – Bash Ali voluntarily signed a negotiated N15 million settlement, making the extortion claim baseless.

2. Lack of Evidence – Ali has failed to provide any verifiable details to support his $12 million advance payment allegation to the FG. 

3. Repeated Rejection – The Guinness fight proposal has never gained official approval across multiple administrations, suggesting institutional skepticism rather than sabotage.