Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme found Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide in connection with his wife’s death on April 8, 2022.
The judge ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, rejecting the defendant’s no-case submission.
Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022, on a 23-count charge that included culpable homicide, domestic violence, child abuse, and criminal intimidation. The charges were brought by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
During the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses including two of the couple’s children and submitted 25 exhibits. The defense called four witnesses and tendered four exhibits.
Despite an appeal for leniency from his lawyer, Reginald Nwali, the court handed down the death penalty on the first count and imposed additional prison sentences ranging from six months to three years on the other charges, along with a total fine of N700,000. The prosecution was led by Mrs. Aderonke Imana.
Osinachi, known for her breakout gospel hit Ekwueme in 2017, was 42 at the time of her death. Her passing triggered nationwide outrage after reports surfaced accusing her husband of long-term domestic abuse, which led to his arrest.
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