Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja. The verdict, delivered by Justice Nwosu-Iheme, found Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide over the tragic death of his wife on April 8, 2022—a case that sparked national outrage and reignited conversations about domestic violence in Nigeria.
The prosecution, led by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), presented 17 witnesses, including two of the couple’s children, who testified about the abuse they witnessed. A total of 25 documents were tendered as evidence, painting a grim picture of sustained domestic abuse behind Osinachi’s successful music career.
Despite calling four witnesses in his defense, Nwachukwu’s efforts were dismissed as the court ruled that the evidence against him was overwhelming. His lawyer, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency, citing his role as a father, but prosecutor Aderonke Imana insisted that justice demanded the full weight of the law.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme emphasized the gravity of the crime and the need for deterrence, sentencing Nwachukwu to death by hanging. The ruling has been widely discussed, with many seeing it as a landmark decision in the fight against domestic violence.
