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Jun
Jun
FORMER WORLD BOXING CHAMPION BASH ALI DRAGS FORMER SPORTS MINISTER SUNDAY DARE TO COURT OVER ALLEGED EXTORTION, DEFAMATION
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CapitalTimesNews / 4 weeks
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- 2 min read
World boxing champion Bash Ali has filed a lawsuit against former Minister of Sports Sunday Akin Dare, now Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, over alleged extortion and defamation of character. The case, with suit number FCT/HC/CV/6411/2023, is scheduled for hearing on July 3, 2025, before FCT High Court 4 in Maitama, Abuja. Bash Ali is seeking N500 billion in damages from Sunday Dare, who he claims extorted N13 million from him. According to Bash Ali, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the office of the Chief of Staff, received an advance payment of $12 million for the First Guinness World Record Boxing Championship fight. He alleges that Sunday Dare and Barr D.A Muhammad at the National Sports Commission were involved in the extortion. Furthermore, Bash Ali claims that former Minister of Sports John Enoh, now State Minister of Trade and Investment, attempted to extort $1 million from him but failed. He believes that his refusal to cooperate with corrupt government officials led to the stalling of the championship fight’s hosting in Africa. The lawsuit also joins the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, now known as the National Sports Commission, and the Federal Government of Nigeria as defendants. Bash Ali’s 10-man counsel, led by former Minister of Communication Adebayo Shittu, is representing him in the case. Bash Ali’s accusations highlight a complex dispute involving high-profile figures and significant financial transactions. The outcome of the case is awaited with interest, given the potential implications for the sports industry and government accountability.