Husband of late Nigerian gospel singer Osinachi sentenced to death by hanging
The court found Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide in connection with the death of his wife on April 8, 2022. In delivering her judgment, Justice Nwosu-Iheme stated that the prosecution had successfully met the legal burden of proof required to convict the defendant.
On Monday, April 28, Justice Nwosu-Iheme of the FCT High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
The court found Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide in connection with the death of his wife on April 8, 2022. In delivering her judgment, Justice Nwosu-Iheme stated that the prosecution had successfully met the legal burden of proof required to convict the defendant.
Peter Nwachukwu had been arraigned on June 3, 2022, by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, representing the Federal Government. He faced a 23-count charge covering offences such as culpable homicide, spousal battery, cruelty to children, and criminal intimidation.
During the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses, including two of the deceased’s children, who testified as the fourth and fifth witnesses (PW4 and PW5). In addition, 25 documentary exhibits were tendered as evidence against the defendant.
For his defence, Nwachukwu testified personally and called four witnesses, submitting four exhibits to support his case.
Before sentencing, his lawyer, Reginald Nwali, pleaded with the court for leniency. However, the prosecution, represented by Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to uphold the law without compromise.
Ultimately, Justice Nwosu-Iheme imposed the death penalty by hanging on Count 1. Additionally, Nwachukwu received two years’ imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18. He was also sentenced to six months’ imprisonment on Count 10, three years on Count 11, and fined N500,000 and N200,000 for Counts 6 and 7, respectively.
