Court Sentences Osinachi’s Husband to Death by Hanging for Culpable Homicide
ABUJA, Nigeria – April 29, 2025
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging for culpable homicide, marking a landmark verdict in a case that has drawn national attention to domestic violence in Nigeria.
Case Background
Osinachi Nwachukwu, 42, died on April 8, 2022, initially attributed to throat cancer. However, her family alleged she suffered years of physical and emotional abuse by her husband, prompting a police investigation. Peter Nwachukwu was arrested in June 2022 and charged with 23 counts, including culpable homicide, criminal intimidation, and child cruelty.
Trial and Verdict
- Charges: Culpable homicide (punishable by death), spousal battery, child cruelty, and intimidation.
- Prosecution: Presented 17 witnesses, including two of the couple’s four children, and submitted 25 exhibits, including medical reports and audio recordings of alleged abuse.
- Defense: Nwachukwu denied all charges, calling four witnesses and submitting four exhibits.
- Ruling: Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme found Nwachukwu guilty on all counts, stating the prosecution proved its case “beyond a reasonable doubt”.
Sentencing
- Count 1 (Culpable Homicide): Death by hanging[^prior].
- Additional Penalties:
- 2 years imprisonment each for counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18 (criminal intimidation and battery).
- 6 months for count 10 (child cruelty).
- 3 years for count 11 (intimidation).
- Fines of ₦500,000 and ₦200,000 for counts 6 and 7 (emotional abuse).
Public Reaction
- Family: Welcomed the verdict but lamented Osinachi’s loss.
- Social Media: Mixed responses, with some praising the ruling as a deterrent and others questioning the efficacy of Nigeria’s death penalty, which is rarely enforced.
- Advocates: Hailed the judgment as a milestone for domestic violence victims.
Legacy of Osinachi
The late singer gained fame for her 2017 hit “Ekwueme”, which has over 136 million YouTube views. Her death sparked nationwide protests and legislative debates on domestic violence laws
