KUALA LUMPUR High Court in Malaysia sentenced a Nigerian man to death today for murdering his four-year-old step-grandson six years ago.
According to Malaysian news outlet Berita Harian, Justice K. Muniandy handed down the sentence to Ibekwe Emeka Augustine, 48, after evaluating the totality of evidence presented before the court.
Augustine was charged with causing the death of his step-grandson at an apartment in Setapak between 7.45 am and 8.15 am on November 29, 2020. The charge was brought under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries a mandatory death sentence or a prison term of between 30 and 40 years with not fewer than 12 strokes of the cane.
In the same trial, Augustine was also sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, to run concurrently, after being convicted on four other charges. These included attempting to murder his biological son, causing grievous hurt to his wife, attempting suicide, and sexually assaulting his stepdaughter at the same location, date and time.
The charge of attempting to murder his seven-year-old biological son was framed under Section 307 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine.
For intentionally causing grievous hurt to his wife, who was 48 at the time, Augustine was charged under Section 325 read together with Section 326A of the Penal Code, an offence punishable with up to seven years’ imprisonment and a fine.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Zaileen Nadia Zubir urged the court to impose the maximum penalty.
She argued the crimes were “self-induced” due to prolonged drug use and involved four victims.
The prosecutor revealed the child was dangled by his leg before being thrown from the window, an act witnessed by his mother.
Augustine also jumped onto his wife, causing serious injuries including a fractured hip.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Zulkifli Awang requested life imprisonment, citing his client was a first-time offender who showed remorse.
A total of 22 prosecution witnesses and two defence witnesses testified during the trial.