Legendary Boxer, Bash Ali Lands In Abuja Prison

According to Nigerianeye, Popular Nigerian boxer, and World Boxing Federation (WBF) Cruiser-weight boxing champion, Bash Ali (OON), is currently cooling his heels at a Kuje, Abuja prison.

According to the publication, a police source stated that Bash Ali is being tried for criminal trespass, obstruction in public way, wrongful restraint and criminal intimidation, contrary to Sections 79, 85, 348, 194, 266 and 397 of penal code.

The boxer was said to have been arrested on Wednesday at about 2p.m after one Mr. Bisong Peter of NEXIM Bank reported him at the Central Police Station. He was arrested alongside five others when he trespassed into the premises on the bank, using a bus to block the entrance into the building, thereby restricting staff from getting into their offices.

The publication through a text message gathered thus;

“The labour of our heroes shall not be in vain. I have been in Kuje Prison since Thursday without food and with tough criminals because I said 'No' to corruption at a Bank (name withheld). My court case is March 5. A revolution has started. Champ Bash Ali, OON.”

When our correspondent reached the boxer after several attempts on phone, he further revealed the genesis of his ordeal. “The Executive Director, Customer Services, of the bank invited me on Wednesday, but to my shock, he was not there, so he told me to wait.

“While waiting, the Managing Director of the Bank, came and ordered the security to beat us. The head of one of the LOC members of Bash Ali Guinness Book of World Records fight, was broken. It was from there we were taken to SARS and detained and now I'm at Kuje Prison,” the champ said with a tinge of regret.

“On Thursday we were arraigned at the Magistrate's Court, Cotonou Street at Wuse Zone 6. At the end of the proceedings the Chief Magistrate agreed to grant me bail of N1 million with surety of a Level 10 Federal worker, which I refused. This forced the police to remand me at Kuje Prison till 4 March when the case will come up again.

“Fellow Nigerians, is this how we will allow corruption to continue in our dear country?” said Bash Ali through a text message he sent out at the weekend.