Court Upholds Prison Terms for Nigerian Gang in Kuwait Robbery
The Kuwaiti Court of Appeal has upheld the seven-year prison sentences for two Nigerian nationals convicted of armed robbery, following their involvement in a theft at a currency exchange shop in Mahboula. The ruling, delivered on Monday, July 20, 2026, confirmed the earlier judgment by the Criminal Court, which had sentenced the first and fifth defendants in person while others were sentenced in absentia.
The robbery occurred in January 2025, when the gang targeted a money exchange shop in the Mahboula area of Ahmadi Governorate. The Kuwait General Department of Criminal Investigation arrested the two individuals in connection with the crime.
Details of the Crime and Charges
The Public Prosecution charged the first four defendants with stealing money from the exchange shop. According to the charges, the second defendant used a fake gun to facilitate the robbery, enabling the third and fourth defendants to steal the funds with assistance from the first defendant. The fifth defendant was accused of participating in the crime by agreeing to commit the offense, helping conceal the stolen goods, and supplying money obtained from the robbery.
The Criminal Court initially sentenced the first four defendants to seven years’ imprisonment and the fifth defendant to six months, after amending the description and charges. The Court of Appeal later upheld the ruling, according to a report published by Al Rai newspaper.
Appeal Court Ruling
The Second Circuit of the Court of Appeal, headed by Counselor Nasr Salem Al-Haid and comprising Counselors Mutaib Al-Aradhi and Saud Al-Sane, upheld the imprisonment of the defendants for seven years and six months in connection with the robbery and theft. The court confirmed the sentences against members of the Nigerian gang involved in the crime.
The ruling underscores Kuwait’s strict stance on armed robbery and theft, with the judiciary imposing significant prison terms to deter similar offenses. The case highlights the legal consequences for foreign nationals involved in criminal activities within the country.
