From Blessing Ibunge Port Harcourt
A murder suspect, Gracious David-West facing trial before the Rivers state High Court in Port Harcourt, has accused the warders at the Nigerian Correctional Services of treating him as though he was already convicted of the crime.
David-West who is standing trial before Justice Adolphus Enebeli over alleged murder of women in Port Harcourt hotel rooms, lamented during his trial on Friday that he was unfairly treated by the warders, alleging ‘The persons that came to see me, the prison warders chased the away. I am under trial and the prison warders are treating me as if I have been found guilty’.
The allegation by the accused person which was countered by a prison warder in the court did not pleased the judge.
This as the trial judge, Justice Adolphus Enebeli has cautioned the accused on his conduct in court. The judge reminded him of the crime he is accused of, ordering the prison warders that ‘if he continue to threaten you accord him treatment given to other inmates’, adding that ‘I have the right under the law that he should be manacle’.
Earlier, during his cross examination, a Police Sergeant attached to the Special Anti Robbery Squad in Rivers State , Sgt Ogbomudia Emoghokuru told the court that the accused serial killer (David West), was arrested by SARS operatives along Tai -Akwa Ibom road.
Sgt Emoghukuru insisted that the police recovered N58, 000.00 cash as against N60, 000.00 claimed Gracious David West.
He further said the inventory taken by the Police further reveals that a Red Techno phone and an Army face cap was recovered from David West at the point of arrest in Tai Local Government Area.
The police Sergeant further disclosed that the accused person, David West killed one Patience Harmon at Torres Hotel in old Port Harcourt, hid her under the hotel bed and tried to kill the next person who narrowly escaped death when the hotel management got alerted.
He confirmed that the surviving victim of the serial killer in Port Harcourt, Binta Etim is still alive.
At the close of police officer’s cross examination by the counsels in the case, Justice Enebeli adjourned the matter to till February 14, this year for possible opening of defence.
