{"id":17688,"date":"2020-10-09T14:24:34","date_gmt":"2020-10-09T18:24:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=17688"},"modified":"2020-10-09T14:24:34","modified_gmt":"2020-10-09T18:24:34","slug":"gracious-david-west-nigerian-serial-killer-sentenced-to-death-in-port-harcourt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2020\/10\/09\/gracious-david-west-nigerian-serial-killer-sentenced-to-death-in-port-harcourt\/","title":{"rendered":"Gracious David-West: Nigerian serial killer sentenced to death in Port Harcourt"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p><b class=\"css-14iz86j-BoldText e5tfeyi0\">A man who killed nine women in a case that caused outrage in Nigeria has been sentenced to death in the southern city of Port Harcourt.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Prosecutors say 40-year-old Gracious David-West strangled his victims in hotel rooms across Nigeria between July and September 2019.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Justice Adolphus Enebeli said he is to die by hanging.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>The death penalty is not commonly carried out in Nigeria &#8211; the last three executions were in 2016.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>One of his victims survived the attack, but was not a witness during the trial. Authorities say her whereabouts are unknown despite being told not to leave the state.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>The judge found him guilty of attempted murder on that charge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"unordered-list-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<div class=\"css-1pzprxn-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi3\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li><a class=\"css-yidnqd-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/live\/world-africa-47639452\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Africa Live: More on this and other stories<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"css-yidnqd-InlineLink e1no5rhv0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-africa-52889965\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nigerian women speak out after wave of sexual violence<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Police say he also confessed to the murders of six other women elsewhere but he was not charged for those murders for lack of evidence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Authorities say the pattern of the murders point to a serial killing &#8211; he had sex with his victims before binding their arms and feet with strips of white sheets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>He also used sheets to strangle them, the court heard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Several of his victims were sex workers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-72p885-ComponentWrapper-CrossheadComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"crosshead-block\">\n<h2 class=\"css-1jlqpzd-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\">How was he caught?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>At the beginning of the case and unrepresented by a counsel, David-West had pleaded guilty to the murders but the judge demanded a trial because of the &#8220;gravity of the crime&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>At the time, authorities had suspected that he was working with accomplices but could not find any evidence as the case went to trial.<\/p>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>At the height of the killings in September last year, outraged citizens of Port Harcourt took to the streets, calling on authorities to solve the murders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>He was arrested on 19 September while trying to leave Port Harcourt as investigators closed in on him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>CCTV had captured him leaving a hotel and the circulated photo went viral on social media.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Security agents found him in a commercial bus travelling to Uyo in Akwa Ibom state, 45 minutes away from Port Harcourt.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-72p885-ComponentWrapper-CrossheadComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"crosshead-block\">\n<h2 class=\"css-1jlqpzd-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\">What do we know about the killer?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>David-West was born in the fishing town of Buguma in Rivers state, an oil-producing coastal community known for its beaches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>The town has a history with oil militants who operated out of its numerous mangrove swamps at the height of the oil militancy in Nigeria&#8217;s Niger Delta in the early 2000s.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-r83t2i-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i80\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"css-1759m9z-StyledFigure e34k3c20\">\n<div class=\"css-kwaqyc-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c22\"><span class=\"css-1fu81um-Placeholder e16icw910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\" src=\"https:\/\/c.files.bbci.co.uk\/B2DF\/production\/_114819754_70493504_2468265839922715_8063752397605830656_o.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/B2DF\/production\/_114819754_70493504_2468265839922715_8063752397605830656_o.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/B2DF\/production\/_114819754_70493504_2468265839922715_8063752397605830656_o.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/B2DF\/production\/_114819754_70493504_2468265839922715_8063752397605830656_o.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/B2DF\/production\/_114819754_70493504_2468265839922715_8063752397605830656_o.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/B2DF\/production\/_114819754_70493504_2468265839922715_8063752397605830656_o.jpg 800w\" alt=\"David West standing with a police officer\" width=\"976\" height=\"700\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"css-1rnnz6t-StyledFigureCaption e34k3c21\">Police say David-West worked alone and had no accomplices<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Police say David-West was a member of the Greenlanders &#8211; also known as Dey Gbam, a mafia-styled street gang that sprung out of the armed militant groups.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Those who know him told the BBC that he was an only child born into a polygamous home, but he and his mother lived separately from the rest of the family.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Reporters who saw him in court describe a man whose behaviour was erratic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-r83t2i-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i80\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"css-1759m9z-StyledFigure e34k3c20\">\n<div class=\"css-kwaqyc-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c22\"><span class=\"css-1hq4gmv-Placeholder e16icw910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\" src=\"https:\/\/c.files.bbci.co.uk\/17157\/production\/_114815549_phkillings.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/17157\/production\/_114815549_phkillings.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/17157\/production\/_114815549_phkillings.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/17157\/production\/_114815549_phkillings.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/17157\/production\/_114815549_phkillings.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/17157\/production\/_114815549_phkillings.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Front view of a hotel\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"css-1rnnz6t-StyledFigureCaption e34k3c21\">Some of the hotels he used were located in the suburbs and he usually arrived late at night<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;He was quick-tempered, always interjected the judge, and tried to defend himself despite having a lawyer,&#8221; said journalist Alwell Ene.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>He used low-cost hotels, with poor security and without CCTV cameras, in the city centre and on the fringes of Port Harcourt, according to the police.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>On one occasion he murdered a sex worker in a brothel in the Rumuola area of Port Harcourt, a known red-light zone in the city.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-72p885-ComponentWrapper-CrossheadComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"crosshead-block\">\n<h2 class=\"css-1jlqpzd-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\">Who are the victims?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Very little is known about the victims, except for the names of the nine:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"unordered-list-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<div class=\"css-1pzprxn-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi3\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>Maureen Ewuru<\/li>\n<li>Jennifer Nwokocha<\/li>\n<li>Linda Waripa<\/li>\n<li>Dorcas Francis<\/li>\n<li>Blessing Effiong<\/li>\n<li>Rose Samuel<\/li>\n<li>Kelechi Bridget Onuoha<\/li>\n<li>Patience Hamo<\/li>\n<li>Antonia Ibe<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>The BBC&#8217;s Karina Igonikon in Port Harcourt says friends and family members of the deceased never appeared in court, except for the dad of one of the victims who only came on the opening day of the trial.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&#8220;It was as if they had no-one, no address, nothing to trace them with,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Police say he also confessed to killing six other women in Abia, Imo, Edo, Lagos and Edo states but he was not charged for those murders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-r83t2i-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i80\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"css-1759m9z-StyledFigure e34k3c20\">\n<div class=\"css-kwaqyc-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c22\"><span class=\"css-1hq4gmv-Placeholder e16icw910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\" src=\"https:\/\/c.files.bbci.co.uk\/16A32\/production\/_114822729_mapofportharcourt-nc.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/16A32\/production\/_114822729_mapofportharcourt-nc.png 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/16A32\/production\/_114822729_mapofportharcourt-nc.png 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/16A32\/production\/_114822729_mapofportharcourt-nc.png 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/16A32\/production\/_114822729_mapofportharcourt-nc.png 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/16A32\/production\/_114822729_mapofportharcourt-nc.png 800w\" alt=\"Map of Nigeria\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No-one came forward for those murders and there was little evidence to pin them on him,&#8221; state prosecutor Chidi Ekeh told the BBC.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>There are disputes about the identity of the women, and how they were able to follow the killer to the hotel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Investigators say he lured his victims by claiming to be a military officer and promising huge amounts of money for their time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-r83t2i-ComponentWrapper e1xue1i80\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"css-1759m9z-StyledFigure e34k3c20\">\n<div class=\"css-kwaqyc-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c22\"><span class=\"css-1hq4gmv-Placeholder e16icw910\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"css-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\" src=\"https:\/\/c.files.bbci.co.uk\/6B9F\/production\/_114815572_ph.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/6B9F\/production\/_114815572_ph.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/6B9F\/production\/_114815572_ph.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6B9F\/production\/_114815572_ph.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/6B9F\/production\/_114815572_ph.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/6B9F\/production\/_114815572_ph.jpg 800w\" alt=\"Block of flats\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"css-1rnnz6t-StyledFigureCaption e34k3c21\">A hotel manager who dumped one of the corpses among the refuse in front of this residential apartment was also charged<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>One of the victims, Jennifer Nwokocha, was said to have arrived Port Harcourt from Lagos to celebrate her birthday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&#8220;They met at the hotel where she was staying and had drinks, exchanged numbers and met up later in the night where she met her death,&#8221; an investigator told the BBC.<\/p>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Police say he threatened the women with a knife and prevented them from raising alarm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Before killing them he robbed them of money, ATM cards and other valuables.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&#8220;We found the victims naked, bound with a white strip of cloth on their ankles and arms and neck.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&#8220;Although there is no concrete evidence that points to some form of ritualistic killing, I personally believe it was connected to such,&#8221; Mr Ekeh told the BBC.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-72p885-ComponentWrapper-CrossheadComponentWrapper e1xue1i81\" data-component=\"crosshead-block\">\n<h2 class=\"css-1jlqpzd-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\">The one who survived<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Benita Etim, a 23-year-old sex-worker, survived a night with the killer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>She was not a witness during the trial as authorities say her whereabouts are unknown despite being told not to leave the state.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>In an interview with the BBC in September last year, she narrated how a man she met on 18 August had tied her up in a hotel room.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>She described how she was raped before he threatened her with a knife and tied her up to a chair.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&#8220;He cut the bed sheet into strings and bound my hands and legs to the chair and used another strip to tie my mouth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&#8220;I shouted but nobody heard me because he had turned on the volume of the TV and the power generating set was close to the room,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>&#8220;I begged him not to kill me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>At this point, he left the room with her phone and never returned.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper e1xue1i82\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"css-83cqas-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi2\">\n<p>Hotel staff found her the next day after she had somehow managed to force the gag out of her mouth and screamed for help.<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/world-africa-54433201\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\">A man who killed nine women in a case that caused outrage in Nigeria has been sentenced to death in the southern city of Port Harcourt. Prosecutors say 40-year-old Gracious David-West strangled his victims in <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2020\/10\/09\/gracious-david-west-nigerian-serial-killer-sentenced-to-death-in-port-harcourt\/\" title=\"Gracious David-West: Nigerian serial killer sentenced to death in Port Harcourt\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17689,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,6],"tags":[623,7380,2349,7381],"class_list":{"0":"post-17688","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"category-world","9":"tag-death-penalty","10":"tag-gracious-david-west","11":"tag-nigeria","12":"tag-port-harcourt","13":"pmpro-has-access"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17688"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17688\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17690,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17688\/revisions\/17690"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17689"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}