A High Court in Abuja has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging. Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Wuse Zone 2, delivered the judgment on Monday after finding Nwachukwu guilty of causing his wife’s death.
The case, which attracted national attention, ended with the judge ruling that the prosecution successfully proved that Peter was responsible for the events that led to Osinachi’s tragic death on April 8, 2022. As a result, Osinachi’s husband was sentenced to death in a ruling that many described as justice served.
The federal government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, had arraigned Peter Nwachukwu on a 23-count charge. These included culpable homicide punishable by death, spousal battery, cruelty to children, and criminal intimidation.
During the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses, including two of Osinachi’s children. They also submitted 25 documents as evidence. In his defense, Peter Nwachukwu testified himself and called four other witnesses, also submitting four exhibits to the court.
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Before the final judgment, Nwachukwu’s lawyer, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for mercy. However, prosecuting counsel Aderonke Imala urged the court to fully enforce the law.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme went ahead to sentence Peter Nwachukwu to death by hanging on the first count of culpable homicide. In addition, the court handed him various jail terms and fines on other charges: two years in prison each on Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18; six months on Count 10; and three years on Count 11. He was also fined N500,000 and N200,000 on Counts 6 and 7 respectively.
This historic judgment, where Osinachi’s husband was sentenced to death, marks a significant moment in Nigeria’s legal fight against domestic violence. It sends a strong message that such acts will not go unpunished.
Many Nigerians who followed the case closely expressed relief that justice was finally served, seeing the ruling as closure for the late singer’s family and fans.
