Peter Nwachukwu, 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 delivered the verdict on Monday after rejecting Nwachukwu’s no-case submission.
The court found him guilty of culpable homicide over the death of his wife on April 8, 2022.
Nwachukwu, who was arraigned on June 3, 2022, faced a 23-count charge brought by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The charges included culpable homicide, spousal battery, cruelty to children, and criminal intimidation.
Osinachi Nwachukwu
During the trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two of the late singer’s children, and presented 25 exhibits.
The defendant testified in his own defence, bringing forward four additional witnesses and submitting four exhibits.
In her ruling, Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme stated that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. Despite pleas for leniency from Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, the court sentenced him to death by hanging on Count 1.
He was also handed additional prison terms ranging from six months to three years on other charges and was fined a total of N700,000.
The prosecution team was led by Mrs Aderonke Imana.
Osinachi Nwachukwu died on April 8, 2022, at the age of 42. She rose to fame in 2017 after collaborating with Prospa Ochimana on the gospel hit song Ekwueme.
Following her death, several colleagues accused her husband of subjecting her to domestic abuse, which they said led to her death.
