A Port Harcourt-based high court has sentenced a serial killer, Gracious David-West, to death by hanging for murder of several women in hotels in Rivers, Imo and Lagos states.

The convict, who was charged with ten counts of murder and attempted murder, had earlier confessed to killing seven ladies, one in Lagos, another one in Owerri (Imo) and five in Rivers State.

He committed the crime between July and September, 2019 but his attempt to kill his 10th victim, Benita Etim, got him exposed and led to his arrest.

David-West after killing the ladies reportedly used white cloth to tie their hands and legs before making away with their valuables.

In his judgement, Justice Adolphus Enebeli said, “Gracious David-West should be hanged on his neck until he is dead.”

The court said the prosecution team was able to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt, having advanced and presented relevant evidence and witnesses before the court.

Justice Enebeli said the confession of David-West as well as the CCTV footage of the convict tendered by the prosecution team during the trial proved that he was guilty of the crime.

The court, however, discharged and acquitted the second defendant, Nimi Thankgod, who was accused of dumping the remains of one of the victims in a dustbin.

Lawyer to David-West, Vincent Chukwu, urged the court to be lenient with his client on the grounds that he is a father of three young children.

But the prosecuting lawyer, Chidi Ekeh, said David-West deserved no mercy for the multiple murder cases.

Ekeh also said the judgement would serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded people.