The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme delivered the judgment on Monday after dismissing Nwachukwu’s no-case submission, ruling that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court found Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide over the death of his wife on April 8, 2022.
The defendant, who was first arraigned on June 3, 2022, faced a 23-count charge brought against him by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. The charges bordered on culpable homicide, spousal battery, child cruelty, and criminal intimidation.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by Mrs Aderonke Imana, presented 17 witnesses, including two of the late singer’s children, and tendered 25 exhibits before the court. The defence called four witnesses, including Nwachukwu himself, and presented four exhibits.
Despite pleas for leniency from his lawyer, Mr Reginald Nwali, Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced him to death by hanging on Count 1. He also bagged additional jail terms ranging from six months to three years on other charges and was fined a total sum of N700,000.
Osinachi Nwachukwu, who rose to fame after featuring in the 2017 gospel hit “Ekwueme” alongside Prospa Ochimana, died at the age of 42. Following her death, reports emerged from colleagues and family members accusing her husband of persistent domestic abuse, which allegedly led to her demise.
