A High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, sentenced a Nigerian man to death by hanging after finding him guilty of killing his four-year-old step-grandson by throwing the child from the third floor of an apartment five years ago.
The trial judge, Justice K. Muniandy, handed down the sentence to Ibekwe Emeka Augustine, 48, after reviewing all the evidence presented before the court, according to Malaysian newspaper Berita Harian.
Augustine was convicted of causing the death of his step-grandson at an apartment in Setapak between 7:45 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. on November 29, 2020. He was charged under Section 302 of the Malaysian Penal Code, which prescribes a mandatory death sentence or, alternatively, a prison term of between 30 and 40 years with at least 12 strokes of the cane.
In addition to the murder conviction, the court sentenced Augustine to five-year imprisonment, to run concurrently, after finding him guilty of four other offences committed on the same day and at the same location.
The offences included attempting to murder his seven-year-old biological son, causing grievous injury to his wife, attempting to take his own life, and sexually assaulting his stepdaughter.
The attempted murder charge involving his son was brought under Section 307 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 10-year imprisonment and a fine.
For intentionally causing grievous hurt to his wife, who was 48 years old at the time, Augustine was charged under Section 325 read with Section 326A, an offence punishable by up to seven-year imprisonment and a fine.
The attempted suicide charge was filed under Section 309 of the Penal Code, which provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison, a fine, or both.
Meanwhile, the sexual assault charge involving his 25-year-old stepdaughter was brought under Section 377CA of the Penal Code, which carries a punishment of up to 20-year imprisonment and whipping.
While delivering judgement, Justice Muniandy noted that all the offences occurred within a single day, adding that the court had carefully considered the evidence as well as the mitigating factors raised by the defence.
He said the violent actions could have been halted when the accused’s wife attempted to intervene, but Augustine continued, even after seriously injuring her.
“The incident left all the victims traumatised and forced them to flee the house to prevent further harm.
“They later found the child’s lifeless body on the ground after he was thrown from the apartment, before the accused attempted to take his own life,” the judge said.
Justice Muniandy also ruled that the offences could not be excused on the grounds that the accused was under the influence of drugs or any intoxicating substances.
