A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel musician Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme dismissed the no-case submission filed by Nwachukwu and held that the prosecution had successfully proven its case of culpable homicide beyond reasonable doubt.
Nwachukwu was found guilty of causing the death of his wife, Osinachi, who passed away on April 8, 2022.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation had arraigned Nwachukwu on June 3, 2022, on a 23-count charge, including culpable homicide punishable by death, spousal battery, child cruelty, and criminal intimidation.
During the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses, including two of the couple’s children, and tendered 25 documents as evidence. The defence called five witnesses, including Nwachukwu himself, and submitted four exhibits.
Before sentencing, Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency, while the prosecution, represented by Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to apply the full weight of the law.
In her judgment, Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1 (culpable homicide).
Additionally, he was sentenced to two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18; six months imprisonment on Count 10; and three years imprisonment on Count 11.
He was also fined N500,000 and N200,000 on Counts 6 and 7, respectively.
The sentencing brings to a close a high-profile case that drew national attention, highlighting issues of domestic abuse and justice for victims.
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