By Achadu Gabriel
Former World Boxing Federation (WBF) Champion, Bashiru Oloruntoyin Ali, popularly known as Bash Ali, has petitioned President Bola Tinubu over extortion of $12m and N13m from him by some government officials.
Bash Ali alleged that the monies were part of the advance payment for the proposed First Guinness World Boxing Record Championship Fight to be hosted in Nigeria, but was stalled when attempt to extort another $1m by another government official failed.
He made the submissions in a letter, dated April 14th 2025, addressed to President Bola Tinubu, and made available to our reporter on Thursday.
According to the letter, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), through the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, received an advance payment of $12 million USD. Additionally, the FGN, through the then Minister of Sports—now the Special Adviser on Media to the President—Sunday Akin Dare, along with Barrister D.A. Muhammad at the National Sports Commission, extorted N13 million. After the former Minister of Sports, now the State Minister of Trade and Investment, John Enoh, attempted but failed to extort an additional $1 million from me, the FGN stalled the hosting of the first Guinness World Record Boxing Championship on African soil, thereby depriving Nigeria of its benefits.
Bash who said he has zero tolerance for corruption told president Tinubu that “I know you are working very hard for a better Nigeria, but your efforts are not visible because 90 percent of the people working with you do not want you to succeed so they will do everything and anything possible to Stop Your Renewed Hope Agenda”.
He asserted that “If someone had told me that after almost 2 years into your administration that my Guinness World Record Boxing Championship fight would still be stalled, despite my several meetings and discussions with you on the subject matter, I would have punched the person in the mouth”.
“Sir, based on my advice, you scrapped the Ministry of Youths & Sports and directed ‘The immediate winding up of the Ministry of Sports development and the transfer of its functions to the National Sports Commission in other to develop a vibrant sports economy “.
“But, Mr. President Sir, we are still on the same spot where the FGN will continue to fund sport and not get back a kobo. The only event in sport in Nigeria that will, apart from Money, bring honor and glory, is the Guinness World Record Boxing Championship Fight but Corruption has Stalled it.
“All Guinness World Record Boxing Championship fights have held in the United States of America, so mine would be the first outside and the most lucrative in the history of Pay Per View Television Revenue, sales of souvenirs, sponsorship, advertisement, etc.
“A I32 countries are coming to Nigeria to be part of Boxing History and the FGN has written to the World Boxing Body to guarantee in Nigeria the safety of their members and that the Ministry of Youth & Sports, now the National Sports Commission (NSC) will follow up to ensure timely payment of their Approval fee which is domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria by the Private Sector”, he stated.
He noted that for almost 19 years, to make this historic event a reality in Nigeria, the FGN has, on 3 occasions, November 9, 2006, January 7, 2014 and May 21, 2019, inaugurated the Bash Ali Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee with the 3 arms of government represented as members.
According to the letter, the legislative arm was represented, with the Senate and House of Representatives Committee Chairmen on Sports, the Executive arm represented by office of the Chief of Staff to Mr. President, while the Judiciary was represented by office of the attorney general of the Federation as members respectfully.
“The Private Sector will provide the funds while the FGN will provide an enabling environment for a successful show but Corruption has stalled it.
“My President Sir, it is imperative to inform you that the FGN is not putting up a Kobo but to provide an enabling environment and in the process earn the glory, honor and money from hosting this historic event.
“My President Sir, after the FGN has collected an advance of $12M USD and extorted millions of Naira from me in the disguise of putting in place the promotional structures, the FGN has stalled the process of hosting this historic fight because I say NO to further extortion, and despite several juicy offers to fight outside of Nigeria I still refused to give up on my country, Nigeria. I want to fight in my country, Nigeria, so help me, please, please”, he stated.
Bash opened up more revelations, “Sir, I met with the Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko on November 13, 2024, to give him an update so he could go on and re-inaugurate the LOC”.
“And on December 12, 2024, the Chairman, House of Representatives, Committee on Sports wrote him a letter to go ahead to re-inaugurate the LOC but chairman Shehu Dikko is handcuffed because Sunday Dare and Cohorts that extorted millions of Naira from me and John Enoh that failed, are still in your cabinet and hold sway at the NSC”.
Bash, in the statement added that “in the spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda, I am respectfully asking for the immediate re-inauguration of the Bash Ali Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee by Mr. President so all the unnecessary obstacles caused by Corruption would be Knocked out so this historic fight can hold in our great country, Nigeria”.
“That my allegations against the above-mentioned people who have extorted money from me on behalf of the FGN should not be swept under the rug, but properly investigated and the appropriate sanctions taken against them.
That the Extorted money should be refunded to me”, it added.
The letter copied to Vice President of Nigeria and President of World Boxing Federation, respectfully, urged for building a better and a more profitable Nigeria through Sports.
All efforts to reach Sunday Dare as one of the accused failed, as he could neither pick phone nor respond to the messages sent to him and through his media official.
