The suspected Port Harcourt serial killer, Gracious David
West, on Tuesday pleaded guilty to charges of murder preferred against him by
the police at the state High Court.
He however accused the police of withholding his N60,000,
wrist watch and jewelry seized from him during his arrest.
This is as the Rivers State Government also took over the
prosecution of the suspected serial killer.
The Rivers State Police Command in suit PHC/3426/CR/2019 had
preferred a 10-count charge of conspiracy and murder on West.
The police charged West of unlawfully killing several women
in different hotels and quest houses in parts of Rivers State which is a
punishable offence under Section 319 sub 1, Cap 37. volume 2 laws of Rivers
State 1999.
West, however, pleaded for forgiveness after pleading guilty
to nine counts out of 10 charges preferred against him by the Rivers State
Police Command.
He pleaded not guilty to the last charge bothering on
killing of one of the young ladies in a hotel around Bende Street in Port
Harcourt, stating that he only tied the lady's hands and legs and left her on
the bed.
After taking plea, the Rivers State Government through the
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zaccheus Adango, applied to take
over the prosecution of the matter. The police prosecutor on the matter did not
oppose by the application.
The trail Judge, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, after listening
to the argument first entered non-guilty plea for the suspect, making
references to different sections of the criminal code of the law of Federal
Government and state respectively.
Enebeli granted the application of Rivers State Government
to take over the matter, expressing readiness to give speedy hearing of the
case.
He adjourned the matter to November 18, 21, 27 and 29, and
December 4 for hearing and remanded the suspect in prison.
West had during proceedings told the court that he preferred
to tell the truth so he could be pardoned, adding that he committed the crimes
unconsciously.
West stated that the police has his N60,000, necklace and
wrist watch. He urged the court to compel the police to release the said items
to him.
He said: "My Lord, I have something to say, I killed all other girls in the hotels but
that one in Bende street which is on the tenth charge, I did not have in mind
to kill her, I only tie her on the
chair.
"My Lord, all these things I did I did it because I was
possessed by evil spirits. I want the
court to forgive me; that is why I said the truth.
"My Lord, I have a complaints to make, all my
properties I left in the SARS station they have refused to give them to me, including
my money, 60,000, my wrist watch and other things, my Lord tell them."
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