Woman, 26, arrested for stealing phones during church service in Abuja
A 26-year-old woman, Chisom Nwogbo, was brought before the Wuse Zone II Magistrates’ Court in Abuja on Monday, accused of stealing phones during a church service.
Nwogbo, who claims to be a makeup artist and has two children, pleaded not guilty to the charges of criminal conspiracy and theft. According to the police prosecutor, Oyeyemi Adeniyi, the case was reported by a woman named Esther Silas, who resides in Mana Apartment, Dawaki, Abuja.
Silas submitted a petition to the Commissioner of Police in Abuja on September 13, detailing the incident.
The prosecutor alleged that on September 10, the defendant disguised herself as a worshipper and attended the Inspiration Life Community Church in Jahi, Abuja, with the intention of stealing phones.
He added that Nwogbo stole five phones namely, 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.
According to him, during investigation, the phones were traced to Idu, Abuja, where the defendant was arrested.
He further explained that the black handbag, Techno and iPhones were recovered during a search of the defendant’s house.
“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Oyeyemi said that it was later revealed that the sum of N150,000 and N1.3million belonging to the complainants were withdrawn from their accounts.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.”
He added that the defendant had cooperated with the police during investigation and provided all required information needed without hesitation.
He promised the court that the defendant would not jump bail if granted bail, adding that there were reliable sureties waiting in court to stand as surety for the defendant.
He, however, urged the court to grant its client bail in the most librate terms, reminding the court that the “defendant is innocent until proven guilty.”
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 should be verified be the court’s staff and adjourned the case to Oct. 16 for hearing.
