Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer Osinachi, to death by hanging for culpable homicide.
Newsonspot reports that he was also handed various prison terms and fines on multiple other charges.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Nwosu-Iheme found Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide leading to the death of his wife on April 8, 2022.
The court ruled that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing Nwachukwu’s responsibility for the singer’s death.
Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022, by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) on a 23-count charge, including culpable homicide, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, and spousal battery.
During the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses – including two of the couple’s children – and tendered 25 exhibits. In defense, Nwachukwu testified personally, called four witnesses, and submitted four exhibits.
Before sentencing, Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency, while prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to uphold the law firmly.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1. Additionally, he received two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18; six months imprisonment on Count 10; three years imprisonment on Count 11; and monetary fines of ₦500,000 and ₦200,000 on Counts 6 and 7 respectively.
Osinachi, renowned for her hit gospel song Ekwueme, passed away in April 2022 at the age of 42. Her death sparked widespread outrage across Nigeria, with many demanding justice for the beloved singer.
