JUST IN: Court Sentences Osinachi’s Husband, Peter Nwachukwu, to Death by Hanging

Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer Osinachi, has been sentenced to death by hanging. The judgment was delivered today by Justice Nwosu-Iheme at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting at Wuse Zone 2, Abuja. The court found Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide in connection with Osinachi’s death on April 8, 2022.

Nwachukwu had been 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, spousal battery, cruelty to children, and criminal intimidation. After extensive proceedings, the judge held that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses, including two of the late singer’s children, and tendered 25 documentary exhibits. In his defence, Nwachukwu testified personally, called four additional witnesses, and submitted four exhibits.

Before sentencing, Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency, while the prosecuting counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the court to apply the full weight of the law. Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1. Additionally, the court handed down two-year prison terms for Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18; a six-month term for Count 10; and a three-year term for Count 11. He was also fined N500,000 and N200,000 on Counts 6 and 7, respectively.