Justice Nwosu-Iheme of the FCT High Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on April 28, sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi, to death by hanging.
The court found Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide leading to Osinachi’s death on April 8, 2022.
In delivering the judgment, Justice Nwosu-Iheme stated that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing Nwachukwu’s guilt.
Nwachukwu was initially arraigned on June 3, 2022, by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) on behalf of the Federal Government.
He faced 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 Osinachi’s children, who testified as the fourth and fifth prosecution witnesses (PW4 and PW5) — and tendered 25 exhibits.
The defence presented Nwachukwu’s testimony, called four additional witnesses, and submitted four exhibits.
Before sentencing, Nwachukwu’s lawyer, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency, while the prosecution counsel, Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to enforce the full weight of the law.
Ultimately, Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1.
Additionally, he received two-year prison terms each for Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18; six months imprisonment for Count 10; three years imprisonment for Count 11; and fines of N500,000 and N200,000 for Counts 6 and 7, respectively.
