Justice Nwosu-Iheme of the FCT High Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Monday sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
The court found Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide, holding him responsible for his wife’s death on April 8, 2022. Delivering the judgment, Justice Nwosu-Iheme ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, meeting the burden of proof required by law.
Nwachukwu was originally arraigned on June 3, 2022, by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on a 23-count charge. Charges included culpable homicide punishable by death, spousal battery, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, and other related offenses.
During the trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two of the couple’s children who testified as Prosecution Witnesses 4 and 5 (PW4 and PW5). In addition, 25 documents were tendered as exhibits before the court.
In his defense, Nwachukwu testified himself, called four witnesses, and submitted four exhibits. His lawyer, Reginald Nwali, during allocutus, pleaded for leniency, while prosecution counsel, Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to uphold the full weight of the law.
In sentencing, the court handed down the following penalties:
Count 1 (culpable homicide): Death by hanging
- Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18: Two years imprisonment each
- Count 10: Six months imprisonment
- Count 11: Three years imprisonment
- Counts 6 and 7: Fines of ₦500,000 and ₦200,000 respectively
Justice Nwosu-Iheme’s verdict brings to a close a case that had captured national attention, highlighting issues of domestic violence, spousal abuse, and justice for victims.