By [Oladipo Oluwatosin], Abuja – June 30, 2025
In what many now call the most explosive legal showdown in Nigeria’s sports history, world-renowned boxing champion Bash Ali (OON) has taken former Minister of Sports, Mr. Sunday Akin Dare, to court over alleged extortion, defamation, and obstruction of a landmark Guinness World Record boxing event.
The case, filed under Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/6411/2023, is before the FCT High Court 4, Maitama, Abuja, with a scheduled hearing date of Thursday, July 3, 2025. The lawsuit is also directed at the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development—now the National Sports Commission—and specifically names Sunday Dare, who now serves as Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu.
Bash Ali, through his ten-man legal team led by former Minister of Communication, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, is seeking ₦500 billion in damages. The boxer claims the massive sum represents compensation for loss of income, character defamation, and the collapse of what was meant to be Africa’s first Guinness World Record Boxing Championship—a fight that would have generated unprecedented global attention and billions in pay-per-view revenue.
The Accusations: Money, Manipulation & Missed Opportunity
According to a statement issued by Harry Agina, the Communication and Publicity Director of Bash Ali’s Guinness World Record Boxing Project, the boxer alleges that:
The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Chief of Staff's office received an advance payment of $12 million intended for the boxing project.
Sunday Dare and Barr. D.A. Muhammad, during their time in the Ministry of Sports, allegedly extorted ₦13 million from Bash Ali.
Senator John Enoh, then Sports Minister and now State Minister for Trade and Investment, made an unsuccessful attempt to extort $1 million from the boxing champion.
The project was later stalled, and the boxing legend believes that his uncompromising stance against corrupt practices is the reason he was blacklisted and silenced.
Economic Fallout: What Nigeria Lost
The failed execution of the Guinness World Record fight has left gaping economic consequences in its wake. Had the bout held as planned, it would have:
Positioned Nigeria as the first African country to host a Guinness World Record boxing event.
Attracted millions of dollars in foreign investment, tourism, and broadcast rights.
Created thousands of direct and indirect jobs, including local vendors, production crews, event planners, and hospitality providers.
Boosted Nigeria’s image and credibility on the global stage.
What was meant to be a unifying moment and national pride has turned into a courtroom brawl, dragging Nigeria’s sports administration further into disrepute.
Expert Opinions: A System That Fails Its Own
Dr. Chioma Onuoha, a governance and development expert, says Bash Ali’s case is a mirror reflecting the rot in the sports and public administration ecosystem.
“The fact that a world-class athlete must drag government officials to court before being heard is a national embarrassment. Nigeria’s inability to protect or promote her own is killing innovation, ambition, and foreign interest,” she said.
Similarly, sports analyst Tunji Balogun adds,
“The entire saga is a classic case of how corruption and ego can destroy not just personal dreams but national opportunities. Bash Ali represents much more than himself—he’s a case study in lost national potential.”
A Way Forward: Reform, Transparency & Athletes’ Rights
To avoid a repeat of such a high-profile disgrace, Nigeria must urgently institute structural reforms in sports governance:
1. Independent Sports Oversight Body: A non-political, independently funded commission to vet and monitor major sports projects.
2. Transparent Funding and Audits: All financial commitments and disbursements for national projects must be made public and traceable.
3. Athlete Legal Support System: Create a legal bureau to defend and protect the contractual rights of Nigerian athletes.
4. Whistleblower Protection: Safeguards for individuals who expose corruption within government-run sports projects.
5. Performance-Based Appointments: Remove political patronage from sports leadership and install professionals with experience and track records.
Conclusion: More Than a Fight—It’s a National Reckoning
Bash Ali’s courtroom battle may seem personal, but it carries with it a national implication. It is a fight against a system that rewards silence and punishes integrity. It is a fight for young athletes who believe in possibility, for professionals who are tired of politics as usual, and for Nigeria, whose global image continues to take blows—not in the ring, but in the arena of governance.
As Nigerians watch the July 3 court hearing, one thing is clear: the verdict may settle more than a legal dispute. It may redefine how Nigeria values integrity, sports, and national pride.
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