In Abuja, a 26-year-old mother of two, Chisom Nwogbo, was presented before the Wuse Zone II Magistrates’ Court on Monday, facing allegations of stealing phones during a church service. The defendant, who identifies as a makeup artist, was charged with two counts of criminal conspiracy and theft.
The police prosecutor, Oyeyemi Adeniyi, informed the court that the case was reported by Miss Esther Silas, who resides in Mana Apartment, Dawaki, Abuja. The report was made through a petition to the Commissioner of Police in Abuja on September 13.
According to the prosecutor, Nwogbo purportedly attended the Inspiration Life Community Church in the Jahi area of Abuja on September 10, posing as a worshipper, and stole five phones, including an 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.
The prosecutor further stated that the investigation led to the recovery of the black handbag, Techno and iPhones during a search of the defendant’s house. Nwogbo confessed to the police that she had sold the other phones to an individual known as Paul, aka Daddy Fresh, who is currently evading arrest. It was also discovered that a sum of N150,000 and N1.3 million had been withdrawn from the complainants’ accounts, and iPhone XS and Samsung phones valued at N2 million were recovered from the defendant.
The charges brought against the defendant were in violation of the provisions of sections 97 and 288 of the Penal Code. The defense counsel, Ophie Ogheneyerowho, sought bail for his client, citing the fact that she is currently nursing a baby and had cooperated with the police during the investigation. He assured the court that the defendant would not evade bail if granted, with reliable sureties ready to stand in for her.
The prosecutor did not object to the bail request but urged the court to use its discretion judiciously. Magistrate Izinyon Ibironke granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties who must have means of livelihood and reside within the court’s jurisdiction. She also ordered the verification of the sureties’ addresses and adjourned the case to October 19th for a hearing.
