Bash Ali’s suit dismissed in Abuja court as judge criticises former boxer for wasting judicial time over ₦500bn extortion and defamation claims

The Bash Ali’s suit dismissed by an Abuja high court has marked the end of a ₦500 billion legal battle that the judge called a complete waste of time.

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Former world cruiserweight boxing champion Bash Ali filed the case against ex-Sports Minister Sunday Dare, along with the Federal Government and a former director of legal services.

Justice U.P. Kekemeke of Court 4, High Court of the FCT, Maitama, struck out the suit on the grounds that it was legally flawed, status-barred and entirely without merit.

The case, filed under FCT/HC/CV/6411/2023, included claims of extortion and defamation, which the judge ruled were “unsubstantiated and devoid of credible evidence.”

“There was no contract signed between the ministry or the minister regarding the proposed Guinness Book of World Records bout,” Justice Kekemeke said.

Lead counsel for Sunday Dare, Bode Olanipekun of Festus Keyamo Chambers, argued that the claim lacked substance and failed to meet any legal threshold. The court agreed, ruling that the action had no basis in fact or law.

For years, Bash Ali had accused successive sports ministers of frustrating efforts to host a globally recognised boxing event. However, none of his allegations had been proven in court.

“This man has dragged us through a needless process for years. Now justice has spoken,” said a source close to the legal team.

The court’s declaration that the Bash Ali suit dismissed also “terminated the life of the case” puts a final seal on a long-running legal saga that gained more attention in the media than in any legal victories.

Observers believe the ruling sends a strong message against what many describe as misuse of the legal system to push personal narratives without proper evidence.

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As of now, there is no official word from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, but the judgement is likely to bolster public officials’ confidence in defending themselves against baseless claims.