BREAKING: Court sentences Osinachi’s husband to death by hanging

An FCT High Court in Abuja has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer Osinachi, to death by hanging for culpable homicide

[dropcap]J[/dropcap]ustice Nwosu-Iheme of the FCT High Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Monday sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer Osinachi, to death by hanging.

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Nwachukwu was found guilty of culpable homicide, which led to the death of his wife on April 8, 2022.

Delivering judgment, the judge ruled that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation had arraigned Nwachukwu on June 3, 2022, on a 23-count charge, including culpable homicide punishable by death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, and spousal battery.

The prosecution has discharged the burden of proof placed on it by law. The defendant is hereby sentenced to death by hanging.

During the trial, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses, including two of Osinachi’s children, and tendered 25 exhibits. In his defence, Nwachukwu testified personally and called four witnesses, presenting four exhibits.

Before sentencing, his counsel, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency, but prosecution counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the court to uphold the full force of the law.

Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1.

He also received various prison sentences and fines on other counts, including two years’ imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18, six months on Count 10, and three years on Count 11.

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The court additionally fined him ₦500,000 and ₦200,000 on Counts 6 and 7 respectively.