By A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging. Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme ruled that the prosecution had successfully proven its case of culpable homicide against him.
Nwachukwu, first arraigned on June 3, 2022, faced a 23-count charge brought by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on behalf of the Federal Government. The charges ranged from culpable homicide punishable by death to criminal intimidation, spousal battery, and cruelty to children.
During the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses, including two of the couple’s children, and submitted 25 documents into evidence. In his defense, Nwachukwu personally testified, called four witnesses, and tendered four exhibits.
Before sentencing, his lawyer, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency. However, the prosecution counsel, Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to impose the maximum penalty under the law.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1 (culpable homicide). He also received two years’ imprisonment each on several counts, a six-month prison term on Count 10, three years for Count 11, and fines of ₦500,000 and ₦200,000 on Counts 6 and 7.
The court’s decision brings a conclusion to a high-profile case that has drawn national attention since the death of Osinachi Nwachukwu on April 8, 2022.
