A mother, Mrs. Oluwalani Akintola, aged 41, and her son, Mofeoluwa Olutayo, aged 23, were brought before a Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Ibadan on Monday, accused of stealing a patient’s phone.

The pair, whose addresses were not disclosed, face charges of conspiracy and theft.

According to the Prosecutor, Mr. Philip Amusan, the alleged incident occurred on April 25 at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan.

Olutayo is accused of stealing a Samsung Galaxy phone valued at N65,000 belonging to a patient named Mr. Rasaki Adejumo.

Amusan further alleged that Olutayo then passed the stolen phone to his mother, Akintola, who is employed at UCH as a contract staff member.

Amusan alleged that Olutayo was moving around patient’s wards, pretending to be one of the relations to a patient as well, but went to steal the phone and left the ward.

He told the court that the people around, however, sighted Olutayo committing the alleged theft without his knowing.

Amusan said the offences contravened Sections 516, 458, 249(d) and 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Court’s President, Mrs Moji Aworemi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N200,000 each and one surety each in like sum.

She thereafter adjourned the case until May 6 for hearing.