Tina Amanda
The suspected serial killer Gracious David West has pleaded guilty before a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, for the murder of eight ladies in different hotels and the attempted murder of one lady all in Rivers State.
Gracious West who was arraigned on a ten-count charge under the criminal code of Rivers State law 1999 section 319 sub-section 1 and section 321 CAP 37 volume 2, admitted to the court to have unlawfully killed eight ladies by names; Maureen, Jennifer Okocha, Blessing Effiong, Linda Wariba, Dorcas Francis, Rose Samuel, Patient Momoh, Antonia Ibe and attempted murder of Benita Etim.
During the court proceeding, Rivers State Government through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zacchaeus Adangor, filed an application to take over the prosecution of the matter from the Police OC Legal and Prosecution Counsel.
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The Presiding Judge, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, after listening to arguments of the parties granted the application of the State Prosecution to take over the case as it is a high profile matter which warrants capital punishment.
The Judge ruled for a plea of not guilty for the Defendant in order for the suspect to undergo trials before the court while expressing readiness for a speedy hearing of the matter.
The Court adjourned to 18th, 21st, 27th November, and 4th December for the Prosecution to open their case and ordered the suspect to be remanded in prison custody.
Speaking to our correspondent, Tina Amanda, OC Legal and Police Prosecution Counsel, Gladys Imegu, said it is the constitutional right of the State Prosecution to take over the matter, adding that the criminal Justice law of Rivers State also gives Police prosecutorial power to prosecute the case.
“It is their constitutional right as State Prosecution, we are not against it because it is for the betterment of the state that we are working together”
Also, Chidi Ekeh, the Prosecuting Counsel, explained that the state Prosecution decided to take over the matter in order to prosecute the case to its logical conclusion and ensure justice is served.
“Despite that, all the people killed are from Rivers State, they are human beings and the state has a responsibility to protect the people in the state irrespective of where they come from. If anyone goes contrary to the laws of the land, the state has to rise and say we condemn such an act.
“The state will not allow him to go Scot free, the state wants to know the reason the Defendant killed those ladies because they had the right to life, everyone has the right to life. We want to ensure Justice is done, and Justice is a tripartite arrangement, Justice to the victims of crime, Justice to the state whose law has been broken and Justice to the Defendant”
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On his part, Vincent Chukwu Counsel to the Defendant, Gracious David West, said despite the matter being a capital offence, the Prosecution Counsel must prove to the court that his client is guilty to the charges.
“It is not enough for the Defendant to plead not guilty. The burden lies on the Prosecution Counsel to prove their case and we are waiting for them to prove their case”
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