By Jude Opara, Abuja
The founder of Rahmaniya Group, Abdulrahman Bashar has said he would challenge a judgement given against him by a Dubai Court, because it was given out of pressure to undermine his reputation and business.
Abdulrahman has been sentenced to a one year jail term by a Dubai court for an alleged financial crime involving his dealings with CE Energy Company, an oil and gas firm.
Addressing newsmen on Monday in Abuja, Abdulrahman said he is innocent of the allegation and that he is already taking steps to overturn the decision by engaging a global law firm, HFW to achieve this.
It could be recalled that the UAE court gave the verdict on 30 January 2025 , in which the judgment was given in Abdulrahman’s absence without the opportunity to properly defend the allegations.
The businessman said he is optimistic that the Dubai Courts will eventually overturn the judgment once his defence is considered.
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 further alleged that CEE had used similar heavy handed litigation tactics in the commercial proceedings, including seeking a Worldwide Freezing Order (WFO) from the English Court against him.
He said the WFO was successfully challenged and discharged and that CEE’s appeal to the Court of Appeal was also rejected.
“The English Court recognized 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”, he concluded.
