Abdulrahman Vows to Challenge Dubai Court Judgement, Describes it As Pressure Tactics

Abdulrahman Vows to Challenge Dubai Court Judgement, Describes it As Pressure Tactics

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Founder of Rahmaniya Group, Abdulrahman Bashar has vowed to challenge a judgement given against him by a Dubai Court, describing it as a pressure tactic to threaten his reputation and business.

A Dubai court had sentenced Bashar to one year in prison for an alleged financial crime involving his dealings with CE Energy Company, an oil and gas firm.

In a recent statement signed by Bashar’s legal team, he is claiming innocence and taking steps to overturn the decision while working with Global law firm HFW to achieve this.

According to the legal team, the UAE court gave the verdict on 30 January 2025, in his absence without the opportunity to properly defend the allegations and it expected that the Dubai Courts will overturn the judgment once his defence is considered.

“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 steps available to him to challenge the judgment,” the statement read.

Bashar alleged that CEE 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.

According to 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.

The team further said: “It is worthy of note that Abdulrahaman is currently doing his legal business in Nigeria and not in any prison as presumed.”