Nigerian Duo Jailed 3 Years For Dh900,000 ATM Theft

Defendants stunned security men transporting cash with Taser gun, took money and ran.

Two jobless men have been jailed for three years each for stealing Dh900,000 (approximately US$250,000.00) in cash by stunning with a Taser stun gun guards of a security company that transports money.

The Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the Nigerian duo, 25-year-old A.A. and 23-year-old J.K., of ambushing the two guards and attacking them near an ATM machine in Al Muhaisnah in October 2013.

The Nigerians used force to attack the guards who were carrying the money to refill the ATM machine.

The defendants had admitted that they took the money but denied having any intention to do what they did.

The suspects, A.A. and J.K., alleged that a third suspect, identified as Alex, asked them to go and take the money.

Presiding judge Ezzat Abdul Lat said the weapon will be confiscated and the defendants will be deported following the completion of their punishment.

When asked to clarify what they meant by not having the intention to do what they did, A.A. argued: “We committed the robbery but unintentionally. Alex ordered us to take the money … and that was what we did. The Taser weapon belonged to the driver and not to us. We did not use it.”

The Ugandan security guard said he and his Nepalese colleague were carrying two bags when the attack happened at 11am.

“I carried the bag that contained the required tools to open the ATM while my workmate carried the money bag. Two metres from the entrance, the defendants took us by surprise and attacked us. One of them punched me repeatedly and knocked me down, while the other stunned my workmate with the Taser. They grabbed the money bag and absconded,” claimed the Ugandan.

A police lieutenant said the defendants were identified through the number plate of the car, which they used to flee after the heist.

“Identifying their fingerprints and whereabouts, police raided their flat in Nakheel area and arrested them.

Police seized Dh28,500 and a BlackBerry phone from A.A. and Dh9,700 and two laptops, an iPad and a BlackBerry Phone from J.K,” said the lieutenant.

Monday’s ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days.