The husband of late gospel sensation Osinachi, Peter Nwachukwu, has been convicted of culpable homicide in connection with her death on April 8, 2022.
Naija News reports that Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Wuse Zone 2, sentenced the defendant to death by hanging.
Justice Iheme pronounced Nwachukwu guilty during the judgment delivered in the case filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF).
He stated that the prosecution had proven the burden of proof placed on it by the law and subsequently found the defendant guilty.
The Federal Government had brought a 23-count charge against Nwachukwu, covering offences such as culpable homicide punishable by death, spousal battery, child cruelty, and criminal intimidation of both spouse and children.
After considering the evidence presented by the prosecution, Justice Nwosu-Iheme concluded that the charges had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to Nwachukwu’s conviction.
In her judgment, the court found that the evidence, which included testimony from Osinachi’s children and other witnesses, clearly supported the charges.
The prosecution had called 17 witnesses, including the deceased’s two children, who testified as fourth and fifth prosecution witnesses. The court also received 25 documents as exhibits.
Following the verdict, the court proceeded to sentencing.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced Peter Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1, the culpable homicide charge, while he was sentenced to various terms of imprisonment for the other charges.
Nwachukwu received two years each on Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18. He was also sentenced to six months imprisonment on Count 10 and three years imprisonment on Count 11. Additionally, he was fined N500,000 and N200,000 on Counts 6 and 7, respectively.
Before sentencing, Nwachukwu’s defense counsel, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency, asking the court to be compassionate in its judgment.
On the other hand, prosecution counsel, Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to apply the law as stipulated, ensuring that justice was served.
