Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of 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. Justice Nwosu-Iheme ruled that the prosecution had successfully discharged the burden of proof required by law and consequently convicted the defendant.
Nwachukwu was initially arraigned on June 3, 2022, by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) on behalf of the Federal Government. He faced a 23-count charge including culpable homicide punishable by death, spousal battery, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, and other related offences.
During the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses—including two of the deceased’s children, who testified as Prosecution Witnesses 4 and 5 (PW4 and PW5)—and submitted 25 documents as exhibits. The defence called five witnesses, including the defendant himself, and tendered four exhibits.
Prior to sentencing, Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency, while prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to enforce the full weight of the law.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1. He also received two years’ imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18; six months on Count 10; and three years on Count 11. Additionally, he was fined ₦500,000 and ₦200,000 on Counts 6 and 7, respectively.
Osinachi Nwachukwu, known for her popular gospel track Ekwueme, died at age 42. Her death sparked national outrage, with many Nigerians calling for justice.
