Bash Ali’s N500 Billion Lawsuit Against Ex-Sports Minister Sunday Dare THROWN OUT of Court!

An Abuja High Court has delivered a truly stunning blow, dismissing the colossal N500 billion lawsuit he filed against former Sports Minister Sunday Dare over explosive allegations of extortion and defamation of character.

Can you feel the tension? This isn’t just any court case; it’s the latest chapter in a relentless, almost unbelievable quest by a man determined to etch his name in history, even if it means battling every obstacle, real or perceived, in his path. And this time, the court has spoken, loudly and clearly, declaring the “life of the case terminated.” Wow!

The Courtroom Showdown: A Frivolous Pursuit?

The scene unfolded at the Abuja High Court on Thursday, where Justice U.P. Kekemeke presided over the highly anticipated session. Everyone was waiting to see what would happen with case number FCT/HC/CV/6411/2023, a suit that pitted the fiery former world cruiserweight boxing champion, Bash Ali, against a powerful former minister, the federal government itself, and D.A. Muhammad, the legal director of the sports ministry. Talk about taking on the establishment!

Bash Ali’s accusations against Sunday Dare were nothing short of explosive. He claimed that Dare had allegedly extorted a staggering N13 million from him! And what was this money supposedly for? To stage his long-dreamed-of Guinness World Record fight right here in Nigeria. Imagine the audacity of such a claim – a national hero accusing a high-ranking government official of siphoning funds from his monumental quest.

Adding fuel to the fire, Ali also passionately argued that the federal government itself had deliberately stalled the hosting of this historic fight, despite having allegedly facilitated an advance payment of a mind-boggling $12 million for the event. He was convinced that forces were conspiring against his destiny.

In his fervent prayer to the court, Ali wasn’t asking for pocket change. He demanded a colossal N500 billion in damages for the alleged extortion and the severe defamation of his character by Dare during this tumultuous period. This was a man seeking not just justice, but a monumental vindication.

But then came the judge’s hammer blow. During the hearing, Justice Kekemeke did not hold back. He openly criticized Bash Ali for being frivolous and for wasting the court’s precious time. Ouch! That’s got to sting. The court didn’t just dismiss the case; it effectively dismissed all the allegations against Dare and declared the suit’s statute barred, meaning it was filed too late or beyond the legal time limit for such claims. This is a devastating blow for Ali, not just legally, but to his public narrative of being constantly undermined.

The Unending Quest: Chasing a Guinness World Record at 69!

To truly understand the depth of Bash Ali’s passion and the intensity of this ongoing legal drama, you have to grasp the sheer magnitude of his life’s ambition. For over 20 years, this legendary boxer has been relentlessly pursuing one singular goal: to clinch the Guinness World Record for the oldest boxing champion.

Think about that commitment! At 69 years old, Bash Ali is still pushing, still fighting, still dreaming of stepping into the ring one last time to make history. His target? To beat the incredible record set by Bernard Hopkins, who, in 2013, defeated Tavoris Cloud to win the IBF light-heavyweight crown at the astonishing age of 48. Ali wants to shatter that record, to prove that age is just a number when it comes to determination and skill. It’s a truly inspiring, almost unbelievable, level of dedication.

A History of Battles: Ministers, Allegations, and Controversy

But Bash Ali’s quest for this record has been anything but smooth. It has been a turbulent journey, marked by an almost unbelievable series of bitter disputes with successive sports ministers in Nigeria. It seems every new minister who steps into office eventually finds themselves embroiled in a public spat with the determined boxer. Ali has consistently accused various individuals of corruption, alleging that they have either demanded bribes or actively frustrated his efforts to stage his dream fight.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane, because this isn’t his first rodeo:

• 2013: The Bolaji Abdullahi Saga: The legendary boxer first publicly accused Bolaji Abdullahi, who was then the sports minister, of demanding a bribe from him to stage the record match. This was a huge allegation at the time! The situation quickly deteriorated when Abdullahi, understandably, demanded a public apology from Ali over the serious accusation. But Ali, being Bash Ali, famously refused to back down, leading to a prolonged standoff.
• 2015: The Solomon Dalung Fallout: Just two years later, Ali found himself in another public spat, this time with Solomon Dalung, the sports minister under the Buhari administration. Ali accused Dalung of actively frustrating the organization of his match. He went even further, claiming that Dalung had been plotting to cut a deal for himself with the Bank of Industry and NEXIM Bank, who had reportedly planned to sponsor the fight. These were incredibly serious accusations, painting a picture of systemic corruption hindering his dreams.
• 2024: The John Enoh Confrontation: Fast forward to 2024, and the pattern continued. The former cruiserweight champion publicly accused John Enoh, another former sports minister, of demanding a staggering “$1 million” from him before the record bout could be staged. Can you believe the consistency of these allegations? This time, however, it took a direct threat of legal action from the former sports minister to finally restrain Ali from making further defamatory comments. It seems even Bash Ali had to pause when faced with a direct legal challenge.

This long history of accusations, counter-accusations, and public feuds has become almost as famous as Bash Ali’s boxing career itself. It raises profound questions about the challenges of sports administration in Nigeria, the transparency of funding, and the persistent allegations of corruption that often plague high-profile projects.

What Now for Bash Ali? The Quest Continues?

The dismissal of his N500 billion lawsuit against Sunday Dare is a significant setback for Bash Ali. Not only has his legal challenge failed, but the judge’s comments about his “frivolous” actions could impact his credibility in future endeavors. It’s a moment that leaves many wondering: What now for the indefatigable Bash Ali? Will he finally give up on his decades-long dream? Or will this latest setback only fuel his legendary determination further?

Given his history, it’s hard to imagine Bash Ali simply fading away. His quest for the Guinness World Record is more than just a personal ambition; for him, it seems to be a matter of national pride, a battle against perceived injustices, and a testament to his unwavering spirit. Whether he finds new avenues to pursue his dream or continues his public battles, one thing is for sure: the saga of Bash Ali is far from over. And we’ll all be watching to see what incredible, perhaps unbelievable, chapter he writes next.