Bash Ali lawsuit dismissed as Abuja court rules his N500bn case against Sunday Dare and others is statute barred, ending long-standing legal drama

Bash Ali lawsuit dismissed in a dramatic ruling on Thursday by Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Abuja High Court, ending a high-profile legal battle involving the former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare.

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The court struck out the case on grounds that it was statute barred.

Ali, a well-known Nigerian boxer, had approached the court seeking various reliefs against the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, the Attorney General of the Federation, and Sunday Dare.

His claim centred on the alleged illegal withdrawal of government support for a proposed world title boxing bout. He alleged that this action cost him immense financial losses and sought N500 billion in compensation.

The boxer, popularly known as Bash Ali, also requested that the court compel Sunday Dare to retract a defamatory statement allegedly published against him.

He further demanded that the Ministry resume support for the bout which, he claimed, had once received backing from the Federal Government.

Justice Kekemeke, in a firm and unequivocal ruling, held that the claim had been filed well outside the legal time frame allowed by the statute of limitations.

According to the ruling, the alleged incident occurred on 20 May 2020, while the lawsuit was only instituted on 10 October 2021. This, the judge stated, made the suit invalid under existing Nigerian law.

“From the piece of evidence before the court, there is none pointing that the first defendant signed a contract,” Justice Kekemeke declared while delivering his verdict.

“The suit was filed on Oct. 10, 2021, three months before the claimant’s counter affidavit. His case did not fall into the expectation known in law. The cause of act accrued on May 20, 2020. It is statute barred.”

He concluded that the defendant’s preliminary objection had merit and therefore succeeded. As a result, the case was formally struck out.

The ruling brings a significant legal chapter to an end in Ali’s long-standing campaign to host a world boxing title bout in Nigeria, an event he claimed would bring global attention and economic benefit to the country.

Ali has maintained that he once secured government support for the event, only for it to be abruptly withdrawn following a change in leadership at the ministry.

His lawsuit alleged that the withdrawal caused him severe reputational harm and substantial loss of income over the years.

While the ruling was not entirely unexpected by legal observers, it nonetheless marks a decisive moment in a saga that has stretched over several years. The court’s reliance on the statute of limitations law underlines the importance of timely legal action in civil claims of this nature.

“This is not the end,” a close associate of Ali remarked after the hearing. “He is disappointed but still determined. Bash believes in his vision and will continue to pursue it through other channels.”

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has not officially responded to the judgment. However, sources familiar with the matter suggest the ruling has been welcomed within government circles as it effectively clears lingering legal uncertainty around the matter.

For now, Ali’s dream of staging a historic world title fight on Nigerian soil remains unrealised. Whether or not he chooses to revive the ambition outside of the courts remains to be seen.

The case has sparked public interest due to the mix of sports, politics and personal ambition involved.

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Still, the ruling provides clarity on the legal standing of the case. With the Bash Ali lawsuit dismissed, attention may now turn to what steps the veteran boxer takes next in his extraordinary journey through Nigerian sports and legal history.