Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme delivered the judgment on Monday after dismissing Nwachukwu’s no-case submission.
The court found him guilty of culpable homicide in connection with the death of his wife on April 8, 2022.
Nwachukwu, who was arraigned on June 3, 2022, faced a 23-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The charges included culpable homicide, spousal battery, cruelty to children and criminal intimidation.
During the trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two of the deceased’s children, and tendered 25 exhibits.
The defendant testified in his defence and presented four additional witnesses and four exhibits.
In her judgment, Justice Nwosu-Iheme held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Following pleas for leniency from Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, the court nevertheless sentenced him to death by hanging on Count 1.
He also received additional prison sentences ranging from six months to three years on several other counts and was fined a total of N700,000.
The prosecution was represented by Mrs Aderonke Imana.
Osinachi passed away on April 8, 2022, at the age of 42.
She came into the limelight in 2017 when she collaborated with Prospa Ochimana on the gospel hit song, Ekwueme.
After her death, several colleagues accused her husband of subjecting her to domestic violence, leading to her death.