Murderer Sentenced To Life Imprisonment

Convicted murderer, Muni Nadan, will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

He was sentenced on Friday by High Court Judge Justice Sunil Sharma in Lautoka after Nadan was convicted for one count of murder and breach of a suspended sentence.

On the first count, Nadan murdered the late Asbin Nair on June 6, 2018, at Sigatoka by stabbing him with a cane knife.

On the second count, he breached a suspended 10 months’ sentence imposed by the Sigatoka Magistrates Court on May 29, 2018, for abduction, by committing the offence of murder.

The court heard that on the day of the offence the deceased was walking home when Nadan struck him with a cane knife then dragged his body down the slope onto a vacant land.

The deceased’s body was found upon search by his son who was using his mobile phone flashlight while returning home.

In mitigation, the defence submitted that Nadan is 29 years of age, a carpenter earning $150 and supporting his elderly mother.

The aggravating factors were that the attack was unprovoked, a breach of trust as Nadan was known to the deceased and his family, planning as he thought about what he wanted to do and how to conceal it and the victim impact statement of the deceased’s oldest son who said he missed his father’s company, love and care.

Justice Sharma said he agreed it was a gruesome, unprovoked attack on an unsuspecting, vulnerable and defenceless person who died instantly.

“Mr Nadan you are a coward and a heartless person who has no value for human life.

“You are also a disgrace to the society, the manner in which you carried out the offending is dreadful. You showed no sympathy for the victim,” Justice Sharma said.

Justice Sharma said a family had lost a beloved member, the children a father and a breadwinner.

“There can be no lawful justification for the taking away of another human life in such circumstances; this was a selfish, cold-hearted and an unprovoked attack on a defenceless victim,” Justice Sharma said.

Nadan will have to serve a minimum term of 18 years and nine months before he is eligible for a pardon.

He has 30 days to appeal his sentence to the Court of Appeal.

Feedback:  salote.qalubau@fijisun.com.fj