The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, Nigeria has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu to death by hanging after finding him guilty in the death of his wife, celebrated gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu.
The presiding judge delivered the verdict yesterday, concluding a nearly three-year trial.
Osinachi, who was loved for her powerful vocals and was widely known for her collaboration with Prospa Ochimana on the gospel hit song, Ekwueme.
Initially, her death was reported as caused by throat cancer, but testimony from friends and family revealed a pattern of abuse at the hands of her husband, who also served as a pastor in the church where she performed as lead vocalist.
The prosecution, representing the Attorney-General’s office, presented 17 witnesses, including the couple’s two eldest children and 25 pieces of evidence.
Their testimony exposed his controlling behavior, including his practice of collecting all his wife’s earnings and subjecting her to physical violence when she objected.
In a shocking statement, one of her sons explained how their father would collect all the money Osinachi had made and if she dared protest, she would be beaten up.
He went further and ensured she had no personal bank account, so any proceeds of her shows, went direct to him.
He also narrated how controlling he was that he would dictate what she would wear, eat or spend money on.
These multiple witnesses confirmed that his physical abuse led to a fatal kick to Osinachi’s chest, ultimately causing her death.
Of the 23 counts against him, including culpable homicide, spousal battery, child cruelty, and criminal intimidation, Nwachukwu was found guilty on 11 charges.
The court additionally imposed a 17-year, 6-month prison sentence across various counts and fines totaling ₦700,000 (approximately Sh56,407).
Despite his defense attorney plea for leniency citing the couple’s four children, the prosecution successfully argued for the maximum penalty.
Earlier on, Osinachi’s mother spoke out claiming that Nwachukwu tricked the family into letting him marry her daughter by pretending to be a pastor.