Awaiting trial inmate accuses correctional officers of torture

An inmate of the Nigerian Correctional Facility in Port Harcourt has accused correctional officers at the establishment of torturing him.

The inmate, Gracious David-West is standing trial for the alleged murder of nine women in Rivers State, South South, Nigeria.

The accused caused a mild drama at the Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt, presided over by Justice Adolphus Enebele on Wednesday, when he insisted he must talk to journalists over the way he was being treated.

David-West told the court that he was being manhandled by the wardens at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Port Harcourt, where he is being held.

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He said: “Allow me speak to journalists; I must speak with them today; I will tell them how you have been assaulting me and beating me in prison.

“Even my teeth are hurting me; let me tell journalists what is happening in the prison, how you people are treating us.”

In his reaction, Justice Enebele ordered the wardens to ensure that the suspect is treated better at the facility.

At the resumption of the trial, for the adoption of written addresses, the counsel for the defendant informed the court that the prosecution had yet to serve him their addresses.

The judge thereafter ordered the prosecution to file its written address within seven days.

He also ordered both counsel to reply the addresses on point of law within seven days, before adjourning the matter till August 14, 2020, for the adoption of written addresses.

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