Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late popular gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting at Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, delivered the judgment on Monday, convicting Nwachukwu of culpable homicide which resulted in the death of his wife on April 8, 2022.
The judge ruled that the prosecution successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing Nwachukwu’s guilt.
Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022, on a 23-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), including homicide, spousal battery, cruelty to children, and criminal intimidation.
During the trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses — including two of the deceased’s children — and tendered 25 documents as evidence. In his defence, Nwachukwu testified personally, with his legal team presenting four additional witnesses and submitting four exhibits.
Before sentencing, Nwachukwu’s lawyer, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency, but the prosecutor, Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to impose the full weight of the law.
In her judgment, Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on count one (culpable homicide). He was also handed various prison terms: two years each for counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18; six months on count 10; and three years on count 11. Additionally, he was fined ₦500,000 and ₦200,000 on counts 6 and 7, respectively.
The tragic case, which captured national attention, concluded with the court affirming that justice had been served for the late Osinachi.