A 26-year-old married woman, Chisom Nwogbo, has been arrested and charged for allegedly stealing worshippers phones inside the church during service in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 10th September, 2023, at the Inspiration Life Community Church, located in the Jahi area of Abuja, where Mrs. Nwogbo disguised as a worshipper.
The make-up artist and mother of two was arraigned before the Wuse Zone II Magistrate Court, Abuja, on two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.
The prosecutor, Oyeyemi Adeniyi, told the Court that the matter was reported by one Miss Esther Silas of Mana Apartment, Dawaki, Abuja, through a petition to the Commissioner of Police in Abuja on 13th September, 2023, after she went to the church with her friends and while they were praying during the church service, the defendant stole the items and escaped.
Oyeyemi alleged that the defendant disguised as a worshipper, went to the church and stole five phones; iPhone 14 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy A32, iPhone X5, Tecno Pop 5, another Samsung Galaxy model and a black handbag belonging to the complainant and her friends.
During Police investigation, the phones were traced to Idu, Abuja, where the defendant was arrested and the black handbag, Tecno 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 also told the Court that during the investigation, it was later revealed that the sum of N150,000 and N1.3 million belonging to the complainants were withdrawn from their accounts.
He revealed that iPhone XS and Samsung, valued at N2 million, were also recovered from the defendant and the alleged offences contravened the provisions of Sections 97 and 288 of the Penal Code.
However, the defence counsel, Ophie Ogheneyerowho, applied for her bail and informed the Court that the defendant, who is currently nursing a baby, had cooperated with the Police during the investigation and provided all required information without hesitation and she will not jump bail because she has reliable sureties waiting in Court to stand in for the defendant.
The prosecutor did not object to the bail application but urged the Court to use its discretion judiciously.
The Presiding Magistrate, Izinyon Ibironke, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum, who must have means of livelihood and reside within the jurisdiction of the Court and the sureties’ addresses be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 19th October, 2023, for hearing while the defendant was remanded in custody at the Correctional Centre pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.