A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Monday sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme delivered the judgment after finding Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide, concluding that the prosecution had successfully proven the case beyond reasonable doubt.
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 punishable by death, spousal battery, cruelty to children, and criminal intimidation.
During the trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two of the late Osinachi’s children, and tendered 25 exhibits before the court. In his defence, Nwachukwu testified personally and presented four additional witnesses, along with four exhibits.
Before sentencing, Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency. However, the prosecution counsel, Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to apply the full weight of the law.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1 (culpable homicide). He also received additional sentences: 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 fines of N500,000 and N200,000 on Counts 6 and 7, respectively.
The tragic death of Osinachi on April 8, 2022, had sparked national outrage, leading to widespread calls for justice.
