Abuja, Nigeria – Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late renowned gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Nwosu-Iheme held that the prosecution had successfully established the case of culpable homicide against Nwachukwu beyond reasonable doubt, leading to his conviction. The court ruled that the burden of proof required by law was sufficiently met, finding him guilty of causing the death of his wife, Osinachi, on April 8, 2022.
The convict was arraigned on June 3, 2022, by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), representing the Federal Government. He faced a 23-count charge that included culpable homicide punishable by death, spousal battery, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, among other offenses.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses, notably including two of the deceased’s children who testified as the fourth and fifth prosecution witnesses. A total of 25 documentary exhibits were tendered in support of the prosecution’s case.
In his defence, Nwachukwu testified personally and called four additional witnesses. He also submitted four documents as exhibits to support his case.
Prior to sentencing, Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, in a passionate plea for leniency (allocutus), urged the court to temper justice with mercy. However, the prosecution counsel, Mrs. Aderonke Imana, countered, calling on the court to enforce the full weight of the law.
Consequently, Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1. For other offenses, the court handed down various prison terms: two years each on Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18; six months imprisonment on Count 10; and three years imprisonment on Count 11.
Additionally, Nwachukwu was fined N500,000 and N200,000 on Counts 6 and 7, respectively.
