Boxing Legend Bash Ali Accuses Tinubu's Special Adviser of $12M Scandal -
A world boxing legend, Bash Ali, has accused two senior officials of President Bola Tinubu's administration of alleged $12 million fraud.
A world boxing legend, Bash Ali, has accused two senior officials of President Bola Tinubu's administration of alleged $12 million fraud.
Ali said that former Sports Minister and now Special Adviser on Media to the President, Sunday Dare, and Barrister D.A. Muhammad of the now-defunct Ministry of Sports Development, allegedly collected the humongous amount meant for a world tournament but failed to remit it to the appropriate quarters after collecting same from the Office of the Chief of Staff, CoS, to the President.
In a protest letter to President Bola Tinubu, Nigerian boxing icon and Guinness World Record contender, Ali made explosive allegations of corruption involving the two senior government officials, adding that the officials also, stalled a historic international boxing championship on African soil.
Ali further claimed that the Federal Government, FG, through the Office of the CoS and former Sports Minister, collected an advance payment of $12 million for the proposed Guinness World Record Boxing Championship, but failed to deliver on its commitments due to alleged corruption and extortion.
He specifically also, accused them of extorting N13 million from him under false pretensces,. stressing that current Minister of State for Trade and Investment, John Enoh, attempted to extract an additional $1 million from him before the project was indefinitely stalled.
Ali further claimed that the Federal Government, FG, through the Office of the CoS and former Sports Minister, collected an advance payment of $12 million for the proposed Guinness World Record Boxing Championship, but failed to deliver on its commitments due to alleged corruption and extortion.
He specifically also, accused them of extorting N13 million from him under false pretensces,. stressing that current Minister of State for Trade and Investment, John Enoh, attempted to extract an additional $1 million from him before the project was indefinitely stalled.
Bash Ali's words, "The only event in sport in Nigeria that will, apart from money, bring honour and glory is the Guinness World Record Boxing Championship Fight, but Corruption has stalled it.
“Despite my several meetings and discussions with you on the subject matter, the fight is still not happening.”
According to Ali, the fight would mark the first Guinness World Record boxing event held outside the United States and was expected to be the most lucrative in Pay Per View history. With 132 countries already committed to participating, the championship promised international exposure, tourism revenue, and a boost to Nigeria’s global image.
Ali further pointed out that the government had inaugurated the Bash Ali Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee, LOC, three times over the past two decades, most recently in 2019, yet the project remains in limbo, even as he lamented that key officials who allegedly benefited from funds meant for the fight still hold powerful positions within the current administration, blocking progress.
He, then urged President Tinubu to act decisively in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to Ali, the fight would mark the first Guinness World Record boxing event held outside the United States and was expected to be the most lucrative in Pay Per View history. With 132 countries already committed to participating, the championship promised international exposure, tourism revenue, and a boost to Nigeria’s global image.
Ali further pointed out that the government had inaugurated the Bash Ali Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee, LOC, three times over the past two decades, most recently in 2019, yet the project remains in limbo, even as he lamented that key officials who allegedly benefited from funds meant for the fight still hold powerful positions within the current administration, blocking progress.
He, then urged President Tinubu to act decisively in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also made a passionate appeal to President Tinubu to ensure:
*The immediate re-inauguration of the LOC to revive the boxing event.
*Order a thorough investigation into the officials he accused, with appropriate sanctions as well as the *Full refund of all extorted funds.
“Mr. President Sir, after the FGN has collected an advance of $12 million and extorted millions of Naira from me… I still refused to give up on my country, Nigeria. I want to fight in my country, Nigeria — so help me, please.”
As of press time, there has been no official response from the Presidency, the National Sports Commission, or any of the officials named in the letter.
*The immediate re-inauguration of the LOC to revive the boxing event.
*Order a thorough investigation into the officials he accused, with appropriate sanctions as well as the *Full refund of all extorted funds.
“Mr. President Sir, after the FGN has collected an advance of $12 million and extorted millions of Naira from me… I still refused to give up on my country, Nigeria. I want to fight in my country, Nigeria — so help me, please.”
As of press time, there has been no official response from the Presidency, the National Sports Commission, or any of the officials named in the letter.
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