Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of the late popular gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by a High Court in Abuja, Nigeria.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme delivered the judgment on Monday, finding Mr. Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide in connection with the death of his wife on April 8th, 2022. The judge dismissed a previous submission by the defence arguing there was no case to answer.
Mr. Nwachukwu had been facing a 23-count charge filed by the Attorney-General’s office since his arraignment on June 3rd, 2022. These charges included culpable homicide, spousal battery, cruelty to children, and criminal intimidation.
During the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses, including two of the couple’s children, and submitted 25 pieces of evidence. The defendant testified in his own defence, presenting four additional witnesses and four exhibits.
In her ruling, Justice Nwosu-Iheme stated that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Despite pleas for leniency from Mr. Nwachukwu’s lawyer, Reginald Nwali, the court imposed the death sentence by hanging on the primary charge of culpable homicide (equivalent to manslaughter in some jurisdictions but carrying a potentially capital sentence under Nigerian law).
He also received additional prison sentences ranging from six months to three years on several other counts and was ordered to pay a total fine of 700,000 Naira.
The prosecution was represented in court by Mrs Aderonke Imana.
Osinachi Nwachukwu, who was 42 at the time of her death, rose to prominence in 2017 following her collaboration with gospel artist Prospa Ochimana on the widely popular song “Ekwueme.”
Following her death, numerous colleagues and associates alleged that she had been subjected to prolonged domestic violence by her husband, which they believed contributed to her demise. Peter Nwachukwu was subsequently arrested and has been in custody throughout the trial.
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