In a landmark judgment, Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been convicted of culpable homicide, leading to the singer’s tragic death on April 8, 2022.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting at Wuse Zone 2, delivered the verdict on Monday, finding Nwachukwu guilty of the charges brought against him by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF).
The case was brought to court on a 23-count charge that included culpable homicide punishable by death, spousal battery, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation, and more.
In the judgment, the court concluded that Nwachukwu’s actions directly contributed to the untimely death of his wife, Osinachi. “The evidence presented has left no doubt that the defendant’s violent conduct towards the deceased culminated in her tragic death,” Justice Nwosu-Iheme stated.
Osinachi, a renowned gospel singer, was known for her inspirational music and was a prominent figure in the Nigerian Christian music scene. Her death shocked the nation and sparked widespread condemnation of domestic violence.
The court also found that the accused’s actions subjected their children to severe emotional distress and cruel treatment. Nwachukwu, who was initially charged with multiple offenses, now faces the possibility of the death penalty following the conviction for culpable homicide.
Following the verdict, the court is expected to announce the sentence in the coming days. The Federal Government had called for justice in the case, stressing the need for a firm stance on issues of domestic violence in Nigeria.
Details of the sentence will be provided shortly.
