Court sentences late gospel singer Osinachi’s husband to death by hanging
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi, to death by hanging. Nwachukwu was found guilty of culpable homicide in connection with his wife’s death on April 8, 2022.
In her judgment on Monday, Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme ruled that the prosecution successfully proved Nwachukwu’s culpability. She stated that evidence established the defendant’s responsibility for Osinachi’s death, along with other offences.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme outlined that, under the Penal Code Law, proving culpable homicide requires establishing the deceased’s death, causation by the defendant, and intentionality in the defendant’s actions—all of which the prosecution demonstrated effectively.
Addressing claims that Osinachi had cancer, the judge noted testimony from a prosecution witness (PW15), confirming that while the late singer had cancer, it was not advanced nor the cause of her death. Evidence revealed a pattern of physical and psychological abuse, with testimonies from the couple’s children detailing beatings and denial of medical funds by the convict.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme described Nwachukwu’s actions as “animalistic and sadistic,” corroborated by witnesses such as Osinachi’s tailor and hairdresser. She criticized the silence of the singer’s family and church, which she viewed as enabling the abuse. The judge condemned the culture of silence in cases of domestic violence, blaming it for exacerbating the situation.
The judge struck out some counts in the charge because they were duplicated, but convicted him on others, which related to economic abuse, spousal battering, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, and criminal intimidation of children.
Immediately after the judge pronounced his guilt, the defence lawyer, Reginald Nwali, pleaded with the court to be lenient in sentencing the defendant.
Responding, lawyer to the prosecution, Aderonke Imana urged the court to give force to the law as stipulated.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme then proceeded to sentence Mr. Nwachukwu to death by hanging on count one.
The judge sentenced to two years imprisonment each on counts two, three, eight, nine, 12, 13, and 18.
She proceeded to sentence the defendant to six months’ imprisonment on count 10 and three years’ imprisonment on count 11,
The judge also handed him fines of N500,000 and N200,000 in relation to counts six and seven.
The defendant, who was arraigned on June 3, 2022, was prosecuted by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) on a 23-count charge.
He was charged, among others, with culpable homicide punishable with death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children and spousal battering.
In the course of a trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses and tendered 25 documents in evidence.
Among the witnesses called by the prosecution were two children of the couple, who testified as the 4th and 5th prosecution witnesses.
The defendant called five witnesses, including himself and four others. He also tendered four exhibits in his defence.
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