KUALA LUMPUR: A Nigerian man has been sentenced to death by the High Court here for the murder of his four-year-old step-grandson, whom he threw from the third floor of an apartment.
Justice K. Muniandy, now a Court of Appeal judge, meted out the sentence on Ibekwe Emeka Augustine, 48, after ruling that the defence had failed to raise a reasonable doubt.
In delivering his judgment, Justice Muniandy described Augustine’s actions as a series of inhuman and despicable acts, all carried out on a single day.
The accused also sexually assaulted his stepdaughter, attempted to kill his own son, inflicted grievous hurt on his wife and finally attempted to take his own life.
“The victims were traumatised and had to flee their home before anything more dreadful was inflicted on them, only to find the step-grandchild mercilessly thrown to his death by Augustine, who then attempted suicide,” the judge said.
The murder occurred between 7.45am and 8.15am on Nov 29, 2020, at an apartment in Setapak.
In addition to the murder charge, Augustine received a 14-year prison sentence for four other offences committed that same day: attempted murder of his son, causing grievous hurt to his wife, attempted suicide and sexual assault on his stepdaughter.
Justice Muniandy ordered that the sentences run concurrently from the date of his arrest on Nov 29, 2020.
Deputy public prosecutor Zaileen Nadia Zubir had urged the court to impose the maximum sentence, describing the acts as “self-induced” by Augustine’s prolonged drug use.
She noted that Augustine admitted suffering from schizophrenia brought on by substance abuse, which caused him to hear voices.
According to the prosecution, Augustine dangled his step-grandson by the legs over the apartment window before dropping him, an act witnessed by the child’s mother, who tried in vain to save him.
The accused also attacked his wife, breaking her hip.
Defence lawyer Zulkifli Awang argued for imprisonment instead of the death penalty, citing Augustine’s status as a first-time offender.
“Since his detention, he has shown remorse and has not caused any problems in prison. We seek the court’s mercy,” Zulkifli said.
The trial heard testimony from 22 prosecution witnesses and two defence witnesses, including Augustine himself.
