A woman who allegedly stole phones from churchgoers was arraigned in court on Monday.
The 26-year-old defendant, Chisom Nwogbo, pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal
conspiracy and theft.
The police said that the defendant went to Inspiration Life Community Church in Jabi, Abuja, on Sept. 10 and pretended to be a worshipper.
She then stole five phones and a handbag belonging to the complainant and her friends.
The police allegedly traced the phones to Idu, Abuja, where they arrested the defendant.
They also recovered some of the phones and the handbag from her house.
The defendant admitted that she had sold some of the phones to a man named Paul, who is currently at large.
The police also said that the defendant had confessed to stealing phones from five other churches in FCT, using the same method.
They said that the complainants had lost N150,000 and N1.3 million from their accounts,
which were accessed illegally through their stolen phones.
The defence counsel asked for bail for his client, saying that she was a nursing mother and a makeup artist.
He also said that she had cooperated with the police and provided all the information they
needed.
He assured the court that the defendant would not jump bail and that there were reliable
sureties ready to stand for her.
He reminded the court that the defendant was innocent until proven guilty.
The magistrate granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million, with two sureties who must have a source of income and live within the court’s jurisdiction.
She also ordered that the sureties’ addresses be verified by the court’s staff.
She adjourned the case to Oct. 16 for hearing.
