Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme delivered the judgment on Monday, April 28, after finding Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide leading to Osinachi’s death 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 (OAGF) on a 23-count charge, including culpable homicide punishable by death, criminal intimidation, spousal battery, and cruelty to children.
During the trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two of the late singer’s children, and submitted 25 exhibits. The defence presented five witnesses, including Nwachukwu himself, and tendered four exhibits.
Before sentencing, Nwachukwu’s lawyer, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency, while prosecution counsel, Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to uphold the full force 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’ imprisonment on Count 10; and three years’ imprisonment on Count 11. Additionally, the court imposed fines of ₦500,000 and ₦200,000 on Counts 6 and 7, respectively.
