The police on Monday arraigned a mother of two at the Wuse Zone II Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for allegedly stealing phones during a church service.

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 denied.

The police prosecutor, Oyeyemi Adeniyi, told the court that the case was reported by one Esther Silas of Mana Apartment, Dawaki, Abuja, through a petition to the Commissioner of Police in Abuja on September 13.

Mr Adeniyi alleged that the defendant, on September 10, disguised herself as a worshipper and went to Inspiration Life Community Church, located in Jahi, Abuja, to commit the crime.

He added that Ms Nwogbo stole five phones: iPhone 14 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy A32, iPhone XS, Techno Pop 5, another Samsung Galaxy model, and a black handbag belonging to the complainant and her friends.

According to him, the phones were traced during the investigation to Idu, Abuja, where the defendant was arrested.

He further explained that the black handbag, Tecno, and iPhones were recovered while searching 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 the phones of worshippers using similar tactics,” he said.

Mr Adeniyi said it was later revealed that N150,000 and N1.3 million belonging to the complainants were withdrawn from their accounts.

He noted that the iPhone XS and Samsung, valued at N2 million, were also recovered from the defendant.

The defence counsel, Ophie Ogheneyerowho, applied for bail for his client, stating that “the defendant is currently nursing a baby.”

He promised the court that the defendant would not jump bail if granted bail, adding that reliable sureties were waiting in court to stand as sureties for the defendant.

The prosecutor did not object to the defendant’s bail 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 a means of livelihood and reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

She ordered that the sureties’ addresses be verified by the court’s staff and adjourned the case to October 16 for a hearing.

(NAN)