By Jane Okafor, Abuja
A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme delivered the verdict, finding Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide.
Osinachi died in April 8, 2022, and the case caught the attention of Nigerians due to allegations of domestic violence.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme held that the prosecution has proven the burden of proof. 
Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022 in connection with a 23-count charge bordering on homicide, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children and spouse, criminal intimidation of children and spousal battery, filed against him by the Office of Attorney-General of the Federation, OAGF.
While the trial lasted, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses, including the deceased’s two children, who testified as PW4 and PW5.
The prosecution also submitted 25 documents as evidence in furtherance of the charges against Peter Nwachukwu.
The accused – Nwachukwu, also testified in his own defence while his lawyers called four other witnesses and tendered four exhibits in his defence.
Before the sentencing, Nwachukwu’s lawyer Reginald Nwali asked the court for mercy. But the prosecutor, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the court to apply full force and impose stipulated penalities.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme subsequently sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on count 1. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment each on counts 2, 3, 8,9, 12, 13 and 18.
The court also slammed him with additional prison sentences and fines after convicting him of offenses related to the case.
Specifically, the court sentenced him to six months imprisonment on count 10, three years imprisonment on count 11. The court also fined the sum of N500,000 and N200,000 respectively on counts 6 and 7.
