Abdulrahman Bashar, the gounder of Rahmaniya Group, has announced plans to appeal a recent judgment issued against him by a Dubai court, claiming it is an attempt to undermine his reputation and business interests.
The court sentenced Abdulrahman to one year in prison over an alleged financial offence linked to his transactions with CE Energy Company, an oil and gas firm. Maintaining his innocence, Abdulrahman is working with the international law firm HFW to overturn the ruling.
The verdict, delivered on January 30, 2025, was issued in Abdulrahman’s absence, denying him the opportunity to present his defence. His legal team is confident that the Dubai courts will reconsider and reverse the decision once his case is properly heard.
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.”
Abdulrahman 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.
It is worthy of note that Abdulrahaman is currently doing his legal business in Nigeria and not in any prison as presumed.
