Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja. Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme issued the ruling on Monday after rejecting Nwachukwu’s no-case submission. He was found guilty of culpable homicide related to his wife’s death on April 8, 2022.
Nwachukwu was charged on June 3, 2022, with 23 counts by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, including culpable homicide, spousal battery, child cruelty, and criminal intimidation. The prosecution presented 17 witnesses, including two of the deceased’s children, and submitted 25 pieces of evidence.
In his defense, Nwachukwu testified and brought in four additional witnesses along with four exhibits. Justice Nwosu-Iheme concluded that the prosecution had demonstrated its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Despite pleas for leniency from his lawyer, Reginald Nwali, the court sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on the primary count. He also received additional prison sentences ranging from six months to three years for other charges, along with a total fine of N700,000.
Mrs. Aderonke Imana represented the prosecution. Osinachi, who rose to fame in 2017 for her collaboration with Prospa Ochimana on the gospel hit “Ekwueme,” passed away at the age of 42. Following her death, many of her peers accused her husband of domestic violence that contributed to her demise, which led to his arrest.
