'Seun Ibukun-Oni , Abuja
DAILY COURIER - Abdulrahman Bashar, the founder of Rahmaniya Group, has vowed to challenge a recent judgment by a Dubai court that sentenced him to one year in prison over alleged financial crimes. Bashar, a prominent Nigerian businessman, has dismissed the verdict as a pressure tactic aimed at tarnishing his reputation and disrupting his business operations.
The Dubai court issued its ruling on January 30, 2025, convicting Bashar in absentia for his alleged involvement in financial misconduct related to his dealings with CE Energy Company (CEE), an oil and gas firm. Bashar, who maintains his innocence, has criticized the court for delivering the judgment without allowing him the opportunity to present a proper defense.
In a statement released by his legal team, Bashar said, “We refer to the criminal proceedings and recent judgment issued in the criminal courts against Mr. Bashar on 30 January 2025. First and foremost, Mr. Bashar rejects any allegations of criminality.” He further alleged that the criminal case was initiated as a strategic move to exert pressure on him amid ongoing civil disputes with CEE.
“There are several ongoing civil disputes between CEE and Mr. Bashar. The criminal proceedings have, in our view, been filed against Mr. Bashar as a pressure tactic in the context of the commercial proceedings, to threaten Mr. Bashar's reputation and business,” the statement read.
Bashar has enlisted the support of global law firm HFW to overturn the judgment. His legal team expressed confidence that the Dubai courts would reconsider and reverse the decision once his defense is fully presented.
This is not the first time Bashar has faced legal challenges from CEE. He revealed that the company had previously sought a Worldwide Freezing Order (WFO) against him from an English court, which was successfully challenged and discharged. CEE’s subsequent appeal to the Court of Appeal was also rejected, with the English court reportedly criticizing the company’s tactics as futile.
Despite the Dubai court’s ruling, Bashar remains undeterred and continues to conduct his legal business operations in Nigeria. Contrary to assumptions, he is not serving any prison sentence and is actively working to clear his name.
“Mr. Bashar will take all available steps to challenge the judgment,” his statement concluded, underscoring his determination to fight what he describes as an unjust and politically motivated legal battle.
The case has drawn significant attention, raising questions about the intersection of commercial disputes and criminal proceedings in international jurisdictions. As the legal battle unfolds, stakeholders in the business and legal communities are closely watching to see how the Dubai courts will address Bashar’s appeal and whether the judgment will stand under further scrutiny.
For now, Abdulrahman Bashar remains resolute in his pursuit of justice, vowing to protect his reputation and business interests against what he calls “heavy-handed litigation tactics.”
