A Dubai court has sentenced Nigerian billionaire Abdulrahman Bashar to one year in prison for issuing fraudulent cheques worth 126.45 million dirhams. The ruling follows a history of legal troubles, including a 2020 UK conviction. Bashar, owner of Rahmaniya Filling Station, has not responded to the latest verdict.
A Dubai court has sentenced Nigerian billionaire Abdulrahman Bashar, owner of Rahmaniya Filling Station and Ultimate Oil and Gas, to one year in prison over financial crime allegations. The court found Bashar guilty of issuing seven cheques worth 126.45 million dirhams to CI Energy Company, drawn from an Emirates Islamic Bank account, but with signature mismatches that rendered them invalid. The prosecution argued that Bashar intentionally signed the cheques in a manner that prevented cashing, violating UAE financial regulations.
The ruling, issued on January 30, 2025, was based on evidence, including witness statements, cheque copies, and bank records. The court ruled that issuing a cheque without sufficient funds constitutes a crime, even if the issuer was aware of the balance issue.
This is not Bashar’s first legal trouble abroad. In 2020, a UK court sentenced him to 10 months in prison for violating multiple court orders in a case brought by Sahara Energy Resources. His company, Rahmaniya, was fined £500,000, and its manager, Adebowale Aderemi, was ordered to pay £10,000.
Despite the recent sentencing, Bashar and his company have not issued any public statement regarding the verdict. His latest conviction further taints his business reputation, raising concerns about corporate accountability and financial ethics.
