There was a chilling moment at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Monday, as Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer Osinachi, was sentenced to death by hanging.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme delivered the verdict after finding Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide, leading to the death of his wife on April 8, 2022. The judge ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The charges against Nwachukwu, filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, spanned 23 counts, including homicide, cruelty to children, spousal battery, and criminal intimidation.
Throughout the trial, 17 witnesses, among them two of the deceased’s children, gave evidence, while 25 documents were submitted before the court. Nwachukwu, in his defense, testified personally and called four witnesses, presenting four exhibits.
Moments before the ruling, his lawyer, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for mercy. The prosecution, led by Aderonke Imala, pressed for the full application of the law.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme, delivering a sentence that sent shockwaves through the courtroom, ordered Nwachukwu’s execution by hanging. On other charges, he was handed additional prison sentences: two years each on counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18; six months on count 10; three years on count 11; and fines of N500,000 and N200,000 on counts 6 and 7.
Nwachukwu had been in custody since his arraignment on June 3, 2022.
