Court Sentences Peter Nwachukwu to Death for Killing Gospel Singer Osinachi

A High Court in Abuja has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of culpable homicide.

Justice Nwosu-Iheme, delivering the judgment, ruled that the prosecution had successfully proven the burden of proof required by law, leading to the conviction of the defendant.
“The prosecution had proven the burden of proof placed on it by the law,” the judge said while sentencing Nwachukwu.

The court found that Nwachukwu caused the death of Osinachi on April 8, 2022, after hearing extensive evidence during the trial.

In addition to the death sentence on Count 1, Nwachukwu was also sentenced to two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18.

He was further sentenced to six months’ imprisonment on Count 10, and three years’ imprisonment on Count 11.

The court imposed fines of ₦500,000 and ₦200,000 on Counts 6 and 7, respectively.

Nwachukwu was initially arraigned on June 3, 2022, by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) on behalf of the Federal Government. He faced a 23-count charge, which included culpable homicide punishable by death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, spousal battery, and other related offences.

During the trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, among them two children of the deceased, who testified as the fourth and fifth prosecution witnesses (PW4 and PW5). The prosecution also tendered 25 documents as exhibits before the court.

In his defence, Nwachukwu personally testified and called four additional witnesses, while tendering four exhibits in support of his case.

Before sentencing, Nwachukwu’s lawyer, Reginald Nwali, appealed to the court for leniency. However, prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to enforce the law strictly.
“Give force to the law as stipulated,” Mrs. Imala argued before the court.

Osinachi Nwachukwu, known for her popular gospel track “Ekwueme,” died at the age of 42. Her death sparked widespread outrage across Nigeria, with fans, rights activists, and the general public calling for justice on her behalf.

The court’s judgment on Friday brings a major legal chapter to a close, over two years after Osinachi’s tragic death.