- Nigerian man sentenced to death in Malaysia
- Four-year-old boy thrown from third floor
- Court rejects insanity and drug defence
- Additional jail terms for sexual assault and violence
A Malaysian-based Nigerian, Ibekwe Emeka Augustine, has been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of his four-year-old step-grandson after throwing the child from the third floor of an apartment building.
The judgment was delivered on Friday by High Court Judge K. Muniandy, who found Augustine guilty of murder after a full trial. Malaysian local media reported that the crime took place in 2020.
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While pronouncing the sentence, the judge said:
“You are sentenced to death by hanging until you are dead. However, you have the right to appeal against the sentence at the Court of Appeal.”
Beyond the murder conviction, the court also handed Augustine multiple prison terms for other violent acts committed during the same incident. He was sentenced to five years in prison for sexually assaulting his then 25-year-old stepdaughter, five years for attempting to murder his seven-year-old son, 14 years for causing grievous harm to his wife, and one year for attempted suicide.
Judge Muniandy described Augustine’s actions as inhumane and disturbing, noting that the violence could have been prevented.
“All these despicable acts could have been stopped, as the accused’s wife tried to intervene, but he continued even after seriously injuring her,” the judge said.
The court further stated that the victims were deeply traumatised and had to flee their home to avoid further harm.
Before sentencing, Augustine begged the court for mercy, expressing regret over the child’s death.
“I regret everything that happened. It will not happen again. I remember swimming and playing football with him. Please have mercy on me. Everything is in your hands,” he said.
His lawyer, Zulkifli Awang, appealed against the death sentence, arguing that his client acted under the influence of drugs and suffered from schizophrenia.
“The actions were due to insanity caused by drug consumption. Although the court ruled that self-intoxication is not a defence, imprisonment would be more appropriate. It is not necessary to take another life,” the lawyer argued.
However, the court rejected the plea, maintaining that self-induced intoxication does not excuse murder under Malaysian law.
