A mother-of-two identified as Chisom Nwogbo, has been arrested for allegedly stealing five phones during service in a church in Abuja.
The woman was arraigned on Monday, September 25 at the Wuse Zone II Magistrates’ Court on two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and theft.
The 26-year-old defendant, who claims to be a makeup artist, however, denied the allegations.
Police prosecutor, Oyeyemi Adeniyi told the court that the accused disguised as a worshipper on September 10 and went to Inspiration Life Community Church, in the Jahi area, to commit the crime.
He said one Miss Esther Silas of Mana Apartment, Dawaki, Abuja reported the case through a petition to the Commissioner of Police in Abuja on Sept. 13.
Oyeyemi alleged that Nwogbo stole five phones; iPhone 14 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy A32, iPhone X5, Techno Pop 5, another Samsung Galaxy model and a black handbag belonging to the complainant and her friends.
“She also confessed to the police to have sold the other phones to one Paul, popularly known as Daddy Fresh, who is now at large.
“The defendant confessed to the police that she had been to five different churches within FCT and stolen phones of worshippers using similar tactics,” he said.
Oyeyemi said it was later revealed that the sum of N150,000 and N1.3 million belonging to the complainants were withdrawn from their accounts.
He noted that iPhone XS and Samsung, valued at N2 million, were also recovered from the defendant.
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened the provisions of sections 97 and 288 of the Penal Code.
The defence counsel, Ophie Ogheneyerowho, applied for bail for his client, stating that “the defendant is currently nursing a baby.”
The prosecutor did not object to the bail of the defendant but urged the court to use its discretion judiciously.
The Magistrate, Izinyon Ibironke admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties who must have means of livelihood and reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
She ordered that the sureties’ addresses be verified by the court’s staff and adjourned the case to 19th Oct. 16 for a hearing.
