Peter Nwachukwu, the widower of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja. The ruling was handed down by Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme on Monday, following the dismissal of Nwachukwu’s no-case submission.
The court found Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide in connection with the death of his wife on April 8, 2022. He was charged with a 23-count indictment filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, which included charges of culpable homicide, spousal battery, cruelty to children, and criminal intimidation.
The trial, which began on June 3, 2022, saw the prosecution call 17 witnesses, including two of the couple’s children, and present 25 exhibits. Nwachukwu, in his defense, testified and brought in four witnesses and four additional exhibits.
In her judgment, Justice Nwosu-Iheme declared that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Despite pleas for leniency from Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, the court proceeded to sentence him to death by hanging on the first count. He also received several prison sentences, ranging from six months to three years, on additional counts, along with a fine of N700,000.
The prosecution was represented by Mrs. Aderonke Imana.
Osinachi Nwachukwu, 42, tragically passed away on April 8, 2022. She rose to fame in 2017 with the hit gospel song Ekwueme, a collaboration with Prospa Ochimana. In the aftermath of her death, several of her colleagues accused her husband of subjecting her to years of domestic abuse, which allegedly led to her death. Following these allegations, Peter Nwachukwu was arrested and brought to trial.