Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme delivered the verdict on Monday after dismissing Nwachukwu’s no-case submission. The court found him guilty of culpable homicide in connection with the death of his wife on April 8, 2022.
The judge sentenced Nwachukwu to death after ruling that the prosecution had successfully proven the burden of proof required by law and found the defendant guilty.
Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022, by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) on behalf of the Federal Government, facing a 23-count charge that included culpable homicide punishable with death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children, spousal battery, and related offences.
During the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses, including two of the late Osinachi’s children, who testified as the fourth and fifth prosecution witnesses (PW4 and PW5). A total of 25 documents were tendered as exhibits by the prosecution.
The defendant testified in his own defense and called four additional witnesses, while submitting four exhibits.
Before the sentencing, Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, appealed to the court for leniency, while the prosecuting counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the court to uphold the law as stipulated.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme subsequently sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1. He also received two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18.
Additionally, the court sentenced him to six months imprisonment on Count 10 and three years imprisonment on Count 11. He was fined the sums of N500,000 and N200,000 on Counts 6 and 7, respectively.
The late gospel singer, known for tracks like Ekwueme, died on April 8, 2022, at the age of 42. Her death sparked nationwide outrage, with fans and Nigerians demanding justice.
What you should know
Peter Nwachukwu’s conviction marks a major legal decision in a high-profile case that stirred national outrage following the death of popular gospel artist Osinachi Nwachukwu in 2022.
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