Peter Nwachukwu, Late Osinachi’s Husband, To Die By Hanging

In a landmark judgement, Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of late renowned gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging.

Justice Nwosu-Iheme of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting at Wuse Zone 2 in Abuja, delivered the ruling on Monday, April 28. The court found Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide, holding him responsible for the death of his wife, which occurred on April 8, 2022.

In her ruling, Justice Nwosu-Iheme stated that the prosecution successfully discharged the burden of proof required to establish Nwachukwu’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The tragic case began after the death of Osinachi, whose passing shocked the nation and prompted an outcry against domestic violence. Following extensive investigations, Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022, facing a 23-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF). The charges included culpable homicide, spousal battery, child cruelty, and criminal intimidation of both his spouse and children.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, among them two of the deceased’s children, who testified as Prosecution Witnesses 4 and 5 (PW4 and PW5). In addition, 25 documentary exhibits were submitted to support the prosecution’s case.

On the defence side, Nwachukwu took the stand in his own defence. His legal team presented four additional witnesses and tendered four documents as evidence.

Before sentencing, Nwachukwu’s lawyer, Reginald Nwali, made a passionate plea for mercy, urging the court to temper justice with compassion. However, the lead prosecutor, Mrs Aderonke Imala, insisted that justice must be served, urging the court to impose the full weight of the law.

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Justice Nwosu-Iheme ruled accordingly, sentencing Peter Nwachukwu to death by hanging on the first count of culpable homicide.

In addition to the death sentence, he received the following penalties on other counts:

• Two years’ imprisonment each on counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18.
• Six months’ imprisonment on count 10.
• Three years’ imprisonment on count 11.
• Fines of ₦500,000 and ₦200,000 on counts 6 and 7, respectively.

The verdict has been met with mixed reactions across the country, stirring renewed conversations about domestic abuse, justice, and protection for vulnerable individuals in Nigeria.

Osinachi Nwachukwu was celebrated for her soul-stirring gospel hits, including the popular song “Ekwueme“. Her untimely death left a void in the gospel music scene and brought attention to the silent suffering many endure behind closed doors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Content Credit| Oyedepo Oluwafifedoyinsola

Image Credit| www.bbc.com