Nigerian businessman Abdulrahman Bashar has been sentenced to one year in prison in Dubai for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme, according to a recent report by Premium Times. This marks the second time Bashar has faced a jail term in a different country, having previously served a 10-month sentence in the United Kingdom in 2020.

Bashar, the owner of the Rahmaniya Group and Ultimate Oil & Gas, was sentenced by a Dubai court for issuing seven checks totaling 126.45 million dirhams with a mismatched signature on an Emirates Islamic Bank account. The UAE court gave the ruling on January 30, 2025, although Bashar, 48, was informed but did not appear for the trial.

The prosecution requested that Bashar face charges under current regulations after accusing him of issuing the checks by "deliberately signing and drafting them in a way that prevents their cashing." The court, led by Judge Hussein Hamdi, highlighted that the checks had been returned unpaid on presentation at Emirates Islamic Bank due to a disparity in Bashar's signature.

This is not Bashar's first run-in with the law. In 2020, he was sentenced to 10 months in prison by Justice Butcher of the England and Wales High Court for violating various court orders in a lawsuit brought by Sahara Energy Resources. The repeated legal troubles have raised questions about Bashar's business practices and the impact on his companies and stakeholders.

The case has also sparked concerns about the prevalence of fraudulent schemes in the business community, particularly in the oil and gas sector. The UAE's public prosecution has taken a strong stance against such activities, and the sentence handed down to Bashar serves as a warning to others who may engage in similar practices.

As the news of Bashar's sentence spreads, it remains to be seen how this will affect his business empire and reputation. The Rahmaniya Group and Ultimate Oil & Gas have not commented on the matter, and it is unclear what steps will be taken to address the fallout from this legal setback.

In conclusion, the sentencing of Abdulrahman Bashar in Dubai marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat fraudulent activities in the business community. As the story continues to unfold, it will be important to monitor the implications for Bashar's companies and the broader industry.