The husband of the late renowned gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme, who delivered the judgement on Monday at the court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, found Peter Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide, holding that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Nwachukwu was convicted for causing the death of his wife, Osinachi, who passed away on April 8, 2022, after suffering sustained domestic abuse.
Brought before the court on June 3, 2022, Nwachukwu faced a 23-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, including charges of homicide, spousal battery, cruelty to children, and criminal intimidation.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses, including the deceased’s two children and tendered 25 documentary exhibits to support its case. In his defence, Nwachukwu testified personally, called four additional witnesses, and submitted four exhibits.
Before sentencing, Nwachukwu’s lawyer, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for mercy. However, prosecuting counsel Mrs. Aderonke Imala urged the court to impose the full weight of the law.
In addition to the death sentence on count one, Justice Nwosu-Iheme handed Nwachukwu multiple other punishments: two years’ imprisonment each on counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18; six months’ imprisonment on count 10; and three years’ imprisonment on count 11. He was also fined N500,000 and N200,000 on counts 6 and 7, respectively.
