Chairman of the Rivers State House of Assembly Ad hoc Committee on serial killing Kelechi Nwogu has ensured that justice would be served in the murder trial of Gracious David West. In an interview with our reporters, Kelechi Nwogu who represent Omuma State constituency said the Committee will follow up the matter to its conclusion.
He said” I want to assure Rivers people. Remain calm. We submitting our report doesn’t mean we will fold our hands, No. The government has taken over the matter. We can liaise together and make sure that those victims will get justice. So there is no cause for alarm. We are already on the top of the situation. We will not rest until we make sure that justice prevails”
The chairman of the Rivers State House of Assembly Ad hoc Committee on serial killing discloses plans by the Assembly to draft a bill that would protect guest and staff at hotels in Port Harcourt.
” we will make sure of the safety of guest at the hotel. Whether you are staying there or working there, or whether you came to see somebody, we will ensure that there lives are been safe. We are actually preparing a bill to take care of all these things, and to make sure that these things don’t happen again. By the time they begin to see that the law has made it a responsibility for them, I assure you that all these things will not happen again ” he said.
Meanwhile, Gracious David West, the man accused of killing women In hotels in Port Harcourt is to spend his time in prison while his trial will last. He has been in police custody since he was arrested over a month ago. The accused serial killer when brought to court yesterday threatened journalist that he would smash their phones if they continue to take his photographs. He was asked to be taken to prison custody after he appeared before a judge, and pleaded guilty to nine out of the ten charges bothering on murder proffered against him by the Rivers State Police Command. He said he is guilty of the nine murder charges, but not guilty of the attempted murder. The trial judge, justice Adolphus Enebeli however said David West is still not guilty in the eyes of the law, adding that there is need for more evidence to prove the matter. Lawyer to the accused person, Vincent Chukwu explained why the court said his client Gracious David West is not guilty of the charges despite pleading guilty at the opening of the trials.
He said” that is elementary law. Because it is a capital offence. Whether you did it or not, the presumption is that the prosecution should prove their case beyond reasonable doubt. So the burden is on them. It is not for the defendant to just say I am liable or guilty and therefore it ends there. Because the punishment is death. The burden is on them to prove their case. We are waiting for them ”
In the main time, Rivers State Government has taken over the prosecution of Gracious David West from the police. The development followed the application filled by the State senior lawyer Chidi Eke to take over the matter. The application was not opposed by the police lawyer. The preceding judge, justice Adolphus Enebeli ruled in favour of the State to take over the matter. The court however adjourn the matter to November the 18th, 21st, 27th, 29th, and the 4th of December 2019 for accelerated hearing. Speaking after the court proceedings, lawyer to the Rivers State Government Chidi Eke said the State applied for the prosecution because it is the right of the State to protect its citizens.
