Bash Ali: Court awards N5,000 cost against Sports Minister’s counsel for laxity, boxer docked for alleged criminal trespass, granted N100,000 bail

Justice Bello Kawu of FCT High Court, Kubwa, Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered Mr Okibe Emmanuel, counsel to Minister of Youth and Sports, to pay N5,000 cost to Bash Ali for laxity.
Kawu said that the matter before the court was filed since February 27, but the counsel was unable to file his responses till the date fixed for hearing.
The judge adjourned the matter till May 17 for hearing.
In the suit filed by the applicant’s counsel, Mr B.O. Nafagha, the veteran boxer, seeks a court declaration, ordering the Minister of Youth and Sports to pay him N1 billion as damages.
The money is a compensation for the violation of his fundamental human rights.
The plaintiff also wants the court to order the respondent to make public apology in two national newspapers and also pay him N8 million as cost of litigation.
Emmanuel, counsel to the respondent, had told the court that he was yet to file his responses, but has filed a preliminary objection, contesting the jurisdiction of the court.
He said that he was prepared to proceed with his argument.
Responding, Mr Nafagha, counsel to the applicant, told the court that he was prepared to respond to the objection.
Meanwhile, a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Wednesday granted N100,000 bail to Bash Ali, docked for alleged criminal trespass.‎
‎The judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, ordered the defendant to provide one surety in like sum that must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
He adjourned the case till June 15 for hearing.
The defendant was arraigned on April 3, on a four-count charge bordering on criminal trespass, intentional insult, inciting public disturbance and refusal to make statement.
The judge had adjourned ruling on the defendant’s bail application after the defence counsel, Mr Tajudeen Adegbite, applied for his bail on self-recognition.
‎The prosecutor, Oyeyemi Adeniyi, had told the court that the defendant criminally trespassed into the office of the Minister of Sport and Youth Development, Federal Secretariat, Abuja, on April 3.
He said the defendant forcefully entered the office without the minister’s invitation and intentionally insulted the minister.
Adeniyi said the defendant’s action attracted a crowd and disrupted the activities of the ministry before the police within the premises intervened.
He said that the defendant refused to make statement to the police when he was arrested.
He added that the offences contravened Sections 348, 399, 114 and 143 of the Penal Code.
The defendant denied committing the offences.