A mother of two was charged by the Police on Monday at the Wuse Zone II Magistrates’ Court in Abuja with stealing phones while attending church.

The 26-year-old defendant, Chisom Nwogbo, who claims to be a makeup artist, is facing a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and theft, accusations she denies.

According to police prosecutor Oyeyemi Adeniyi, on September 13 a Miss Esther Silas of Mana Apartment in Dawaki, Abuja, petitioned the Commissioner of Police in Abuja about the case.

Oyeyemi claimed that on September 10, the defendant went to Inspiration Life Community Church in the Jahi neighborhood of Abuja dressed as a worshipper and committed the crime.

He also stated that Nwogbo stole five phones from the complainant and her friends, including an iPhone 14 Pro Max, a Samsung Galaxy A32, an iPhone X5, a Techno Pop 5, another Samsung Galaxy model, and a black handbag.

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Oyeyemi said it was later revealed that the sum of N150,000 and N1.3 million belonging to the complainants were withdrawn from their accounts.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.”

He added that the defendant had cooperated with the police during the investigation and provided all required information 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 in for the defendant.

He, however, urged the court to grant its client bail in the most liberal terms, reminding the court that the “defendant is innocent until proven guilty.”

The prosecutor did not raise any objections to the defendant’s bail request but advised the court to exercise its discretion carefully. 

Magistrate Izinyon Ibironke granted the defendant bail in the amount of N2 million, provided that two sureties, who must have a source of income and live within the court’s jurisdiction, are presented. 

She also directed the court’s staff to verify the addresses of the sureties and scheduled the hearing for October 19th.