Opinions are trailing the legal action by Sports Minister, Sunday Dare against former world cruiserweight boxing champion, Bash Ali.
In a video, Ali accused the minister of extorting “millions of naira” from the funds President Muhammadu Buhari donated to his proposed world boxing title fight.
Ali told Dare to make a refund “with interest” and announced he will protest at the Ministry of Sports headquarters in Abuja.
Dare’s Special Assistant on Multimedia, Toyin Ibitoye, called Ali’s claims false, noting that Bash Ali disregarded a pending libel suit demanding N5 billion over previous defamatory allegations.
In a statement, Ibitoye told the public that the veteran boxer threatened violence and disruptive acts against a functional unit of the federal government.
The aide said the minister will not allow the threats to materialize as Bash Ali not only made false allegations, he threatened to halt the operations of the Ministry.
“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.”
Dare vowed to press his court case against Bash Ali and seek further remedies that the laws of Nigeria avail him.
The minister has directed Bode Olanipekun (SAN) of Wole Olanipekun & Co to continue with the prosecution.
Many respondents suggest the boxer has been using bully tactics. On Facebook, Yussuf Babalola wrote: “Nigerian government should pay him what they owe him.”
Abubakar Adams prayed that: “The minister will lose the case, the Lord is your strength Bash Ali.”
In his reaction, Felix Adetowubo said: “Since he wants to show God Guinness Book of Records Award, please give him Tyson Fury and let us rest.”
Ochonu Emmanuel: “He doesn’t look stable and fit for any fight. He has taken these allegations to all former Ministers of Youth and Sports before Dare. I encountered him at one functions in Abuja some years ago that he had to be picked up by security personnel from disrupting the speech of the then Vice President, Arc.Namandi Sambo. I doubt his stability. His appearance will not even suggest anyone to support or fund his fight.”
Tola Oresanwo: “Bash Ali should let us know if he wants to embark on a boxing bout or on a suicide mission. Accusing government officials for not showing interest in his quest to break a world record is not funny at all. His mates are busy coaching the younger generations but he is still looking forward to fight.”
Alao79810 wrote on Twitter: “Baba bash went violent and ready to take down the sports minister. The fight is not going to happen on the ringside, court is where the battle will take place.”
Bash Ali has been clamouring for a Guinness World Record bout in Nigeria. His insistence over the years has pitched him against successive ministers.
In 2017, the citizen purported that government officials were blocking his dream fight in because they were corrupt.
Bash Ali also alleged that former Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung ordered his arrest at the Federal Secretariat. Ali had caused a scene at the Office of Head of Civil Service.