Assault: Bash Alli lawyer demands N5bn from Abdullahi

 

Bash Ali

 

A 57-year-old boxer, Bash Alli, has demanded the sum of N5billion from the Minister of Sports/Chairman National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, following the beating he allegedly received from security operatives on the orders of the minister.

He also threatened to seek redress in court to enforce his fundamental human rights after his demands were not “met on or before the 16th day of July, 2013.”

Alli, in a letter signed by his counsel, Mr. Emmanuel Subilim, and sent to  the Presidency, leadership of the National Assembly, Director-General State Security Service, President of the World Boxing Federation and the International Boxing Union, the boxer demanded an apology “for the gross violation of the dignity of his person and his fundamental rights.”

The boxer had accused the minister of allegedly frustrating his boxing project, which was inaugurated by the NSC in 2006 to promote sports development in Nigeria.

Alli alleged that he was assaulted on June 6, 2013, in Abdullahi’s office while trying to provide an enabling environment for his boxing project, which was said to have been approved by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The lawyer said, “Our client further tells us that instead of addressing his concerns, you instructed your armed aides, who are members of the Nigerian Police, to block and restrain our client’s freedom of movement.”

But when contacted, the minister’s Special Assistant (Media), Mr. Julius Ogunro, told Our Correspondent that the government was planning to set up a committee to look into Alli’s case.