The Founder of Rahmaniya Group, Abdulrahman Bashar, has vowed to challenge a recent judgment by a Dubai court, sentencing him to one year in prison for an alleged financial crime.
Bashar has described the ruling as a “pressure tactic,” aimed at damaging his reputation and business interests.
The court’s verdict, issued on January 30, 2025, reportedly stems from a financial dispute involving CE Energy Company, an oil and gas firm. However, Bashar insists he is innocent and is working with international law firm, HFW to overturn the ruling.
Bashar’s legal team argues that the judgment was delivered in his absence, denying him a fair opportunity to defend himself. They remain confident that once his defense is fully considered, the Dubai court will overturn the decision.
In a statement, Bashar rejected all allegations of criminality, emphasizing that the case was politically motivated within the context of an ongoing commercial dispute with CE Energy.
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Bashar further accused CE Energy of employing heavy-handed litigation tactics, including securing a worldwide freezing order against him from an English court. However, he successfully challenged and got the order discharged. CEE’s appeal to the Court of Appeal was also dismissed.
Abdulrahman 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.
“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.
“Mr. Bashar will take all available steps available to him to challenge the judgment.
“CE E had used similar heavy handed litigation tactics in the commercial proceedings, including seeking a Worldwide Freezing Order (the WFO) from the English Court against him.
“The WFO was successfully challenged and discharged. CEE’s appeal to the Court of Appeal was also rejected. The English Court recognised the futility of CEE’s tactics.
“It is worthy of note that Abdulrahaman is currently doing his legal business in Nigeria and not in any prison as presumed,” the statement added.
