Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme delivered the verdict on Friday, finding Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide over the death of his wife on April 8, 2022. The court ruled that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Nwachukwu was initially arraigned on June 3, 2022, by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on a 23-count charge, including culpable homicide, spousal battery, child cruelty, and criminal intimidation.
During the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses — among them two of the deceased’s children — and tendered 25 exhibits. In his defense, Nwachukwu testified personally, called four witnesses, and submitted four documents as exhibits.
Before sentencing, Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency, while prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to enforce the law as stipulated.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on the first count. He was also handed additional prison sentences: two years each on counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18; six months on count 10; and three years on count 11. He was further fined ₦500,000 and ₦200,000 on counts 6 and 7, respectively.
Osinachi Nwachukwu, widely known for her hit song Ekwueme, died at age 42, sparking widespread outrage across Nigeria and demands for justice.
