Sports Minister Threatens Legal Action Against Bash Ali
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, threatened to take legal action against former world cruiserweight boxing champion, Bash Ali, for defamatory, false and unsubstantiated allegations against his person and his office.
In a viral video on soical media, the former boxer accused the minister of extorting money from him in name of President Muhammadu Buhari to facilitate the hosting of his Guinness Book Record Boxing Championship, and wants the money refunded with interest.
The Minister while reacting to the comments by Ali through his SA on Multimedia, Toyin Ibitoye, said he will not sit back and allow the threats materialise.
“The attention of the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development – Mr. Sunday Dare – has been drawn to a video circulating online in which controversial boxer, Bash Ali made defamatory, false and unsubstantiated allegations against his person,” Ibitoye said.
“This recent video is irrespective and in disregard of a pending libel suit initiated by the Minister claiming damages to the sum of 5billion Naira against Bash Ali for defamatory allegations made in the past. As a responsible public office holder, the Honourable Minister will not sit back and allow the threats materialize.
“If Bash Ali could have the effrontery to make and publicise a video where he not only made allegations against the person of the Hon. Minister, but also threatened to halt the operations of the Ministry of Youth and Sports development. Then, it is compelling that the security agencies are put on alert so as to avoid a future situation of regret where things are taken for granted.”
“On a personal note, the Hon. Minister will continue to diligently press his libel claims against Bash Ali and will also seek further remedies that the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria avail him,” Ibiitoye added. “To this end, he has briefed Bode Olanipekun, SAN of the law firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co to continue with the prosecution of the case.”
“This statement has become necessary so as to inform discerning members of the public to disregard this latest antic which is in continuation of a pattern from Bash Ali against two past Ministers of Youth and Sports Development and the current one. We also alert media outlets about the risks and consequences of disseminating such false and malicious stories.”
Chidi Nwoke/Leadership.
