A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has barred former world boxing champion Bash Ali from further making or publishing any defamatory material against the minister of youth and sports development Sunday Dare.
Mr Dare had recently raised alarm about Ali’s threats after the latter accused him of collecting money from him to organise a Guiness World Record fight but did not fulfil it.
Ali had continued his threats after Dare filed a suit against him seeking injunctive reliefs and pecuniary damages from him on account of the allegations.
“Despite the pendency of this suit, Bash Ali recently published a video on social media in which he repeated those false allegations against the Honourable Minister and also issued several threats against the Honourable Minister and the Ministry.
“In response, the Honourable Minister through his counsel, Festus Keyamo Chambers, filed an Interlocutory application with Motion No. M/7145/2021 seeking an order restraining Bash Ali from further denigrating the Honourable Minister until the pending suit is resolved one way or the other,” a statement by the sports ministry on Friday read.
Justice O.C. Agbaza granted the reliefs sought by Dare in the morning of October 27, the statement added.
“While confirming this position, counsel to the Honourable Minister, Festus Ukpe, Esq of Festus Keyamo Chambers further stated that by virtue of this order, any further denigrating or defamatory publication by Bash Ali against the Honourable Minister is contemptuous of the majesty of the court and is punishable as a crime under our laws,” the statement further read.
The court adjourned the matter till November 15 for further hearing.
