Lawyer’s Absence Stops Trial Of Suspected Serial killer, David-West In Rivers

The alleged murder trial of suspected serial killer, Gracious David-West was temporarily stalled on Friday at the State High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, due to the absence of lawyer to accused in court.

When the case was called up for hearing, Vincent Chukwu, counsel to the accused was absent in court.

Justice Adolphus Enebeli, the presiding Judge was not particularly happy that Chukwu was not in court on Friday but said that he could not withdraw from the case.

In the past appearances, Chukwu had represented the accused serial killer. At one of such appearances, he reminded the court of the sum of N60,000 belonging to his client allegedly held by police at time he was arrested.

He had told the court his client would need the money, prompting Justice Enebeli to order the prosecuting counsel, Chidi Ekeh, to reach out to Police to provide the N60,000 in their custody.

David-West is standing trial for alleged murder of women in hotels in Port-Harcourt and other cities in Nigeria.

He is facing nine-count of murder and one count of attempted murder and had pleaded not guilty to all the charges, although he earlier pleaded guilty to nine charges of murder and not guilty to one charge of attempted murder.

A witness who testified against David-West had said the alleged serial killer took belongings of his victims after killing them.