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Judge Slams Bash Ali for Wasting Court’s Time, Dismisses ₦500bn Extortion Suit Against Sunday Dare

Published

1 year ago

July 3, 2025

By Joel Ajayi

An Abuja High Court has struck out a ₦500 billion suit filed by former world boxing champion Bash Ali against former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, and the Federal Government, over his proposed Guinness World Record boxing bout.

The judgment, delivered on Thursday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, by Honourable Justice U.P. Kekemeke, ruled that the case was frivolous, statute-barred, and amounted to a waste of judicial time. The court found no legal basis for Bash Ali’s claims, describing the action as an abuse of court process and driven by malice.

Justice Kekemeke upheld a preliminary objection filed by the legal team of the former Minister, led by Bode Olanipekun and Festus Keyamo Chambers, and subsequently dismissed the case in its entirety.

The court noted that Bash Ali and his legal team failed to submit critical documents on time, particularly those required to establish the Federal Government’s official involvement in the much-publicized fight.

Justice Kekemeke emphasized that the delay and procedural lapses in the filing process weakened the credibility of the case. Consequently, the court had no option but to dismiss the suit.

A Pattern of Unfounded Allegations: For over five years, Bash Ali had repeatedly accused Sunday Dare and other former sports ministers of sabotaging his Guinness World Record fight ambitions. He alleged extortion, official sabotage, and conspiracy involving $12 million and ₦13 million—claims the court found to be unsubstantiated.

Key facts revealed during the proceedings include: On the $12 million allegation: Mr. Dare was never involved in any meeting or transaction related to the purported sum. He was not in office at the time the alleged event took place and treated no related file during his tenure.

On the ₦13 million “extortion” claim: Court documents revealed that Bash Ali had previously won a ₦28 million judgment against former Minister Solomon Dalung for battery (Suit No. CA/A/893/2017).

Upon assuming office, Mr. Dare reviewed the file and oversaw an out-of-court settlement where all parties agreed to a ₦15 million payment—signed and executed on May 20, 2020, with receipts provided. Bash Ali’s claim of ₦13 million being extorted is, in fact, the difference between the original award and the negotiated settlement.

On halting the Guinness Fight: The Ministry, upon reviewing past records and guided by the stance of previous administrations—including a caution from former President Muhammadu Buhari—chose not to endorse or sponsor the bout. A letter dated January 7, 2020, titled “Re: Bash Ali’s Guinness World Boxing Project” and signed by the Director of Legal Services, Mr. Mohammed, clearly warned Ali against spreading misinformation about government involvement.

A Long History of Accusations: This is not the first time Bash Ali has turned to the courts against top sports officials. He has made similar allegations against at least five former Ministers of Sports over nearly two decades, none of which have led to the realization of his Guinness Record bout.

Despite persistent efforts to push the project across five different presidential administrations, his proposal has never received full official endorsement, casting doubts on its legitimacy.

The judgment marks a significant blow to Bash Ali’s long-running campaign and reaffirms the position of the Federal Government and former Minister Sunday Dare, who had consistently maintained that there was no official agreement to sponsor or organize the fight.

With this ruling, the court has not only struck out the case but also effectively brought an end to what it described as a baseless and vindictive legal battle.

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Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows

Published

49 mins ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.

He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.

According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.

“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.

The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.

“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.

Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.

He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.

He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.

According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.

Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.

He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.

We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.

He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.

Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.

He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.

“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”

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