Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel artist Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme delivered the ruling on Monday after dismissing Nwachukwu’s no-case submission.
The court found him guilty of culpable homicide related to the death of his wife, which occurred on April 8, 2022.
Nwachukwu, who was arraigned on June 3, 2022, faced a 23-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The charges against him included culpable homicide, spousal battery, cruelty to children, and criminal intimidation.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by Mrs Aderonke Imana, presented 17 witnesses, including two of Osinachi’s children, and tendered 25 exhibits to support its case.
The defendant also took the stand in his own defense, calling four witnesses and submitting four exhibits.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme, in her judgment, held that the prosecution had “proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Despite pleas for leniency from Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, the court sentenced him to death by hanging on Count 1.
In addition to the death sentence, Nwachukwu received prison sentences ranging from six months to three years on various other counts and was fined a total sum of N700,000.
Osinachi Nwachukwu, who died at the age of 42, gained national attention in 2017 after her collaboration with Prospa Ochimana on the gospel hit “Ekwueme.”
Following her death, colleagues and acquaintances accused Peter Nwachukwu of subjecting her to repeated domestic abuse, allegations that ultimately led to his arrest and prosecution.
