The Cybercrimes Unit of the Nigerian Police Force has invited former boxing heavyweight champion, Bash Ali, over allegations of cyberstalking and defamation at the behest of former Minister of Sports, Sunday Akin Dare.
The invitation, made available to this reporter, instructed the champion to appear before the Assistant Director, Network Audit Analysis, NPF-NCCC, for investigation over alleged cyberstalking and the dissemination of false information on February 9, 2026.
It will be recalled that the former WBF Cruiserweight champion, who has been relentlessly pursuing a Guinness World Record boxing bout as the oldest fighter in the world, has had a running battle with government officials since he began his quest to put Nigeria on the world map by hosting the tournament in his country, dating back to the Obasanjo administration.
Only recently, Bash Ali dragged Sunday Dare to court over alleged extortion and defamation, demanding N500 billion in damages.
Also joined in the suit filed by Ali, through his 10-man legal team led by former Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, are the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (now the National Sports Commission) and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Speaking on the latest development, Ali’s media aide, Harry Agina, said: “It is funny that the former Minister of Youth and Sports has resorted to using the cybercrimes unit to harass Bash Ali, a former world Cruiserweight champion, when there is still a pending case in court over alleged extortion and defamation.”
Continuing, Agina said: “This is the same Dare who wrote to the World Boxing Federation alleging that Bash Ali is a fraud and an extortionist. Bash has sued him in court over those unfounded and character-damaging statements, but instead of waiting for his day in court, he has rushed to the Nigerian Police. I believe he wanted Bash Ali to be detained. I am positive that was what he thought would be the outcome of that police invitation.”
Agina thereafter advised the Inspector-General of Police not to allow himself or the force to be dragged into a matter that is already gaining international attention.
At the time of filing this report, Mr Sunday Dare had not responded to a text message sent by our reporter seeking his reaction.
