3 Years After Osinachi’s Death, Court Sentences Her Husband to Death

On Monday, April 28, 2025, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, the widower of the late gospel singer Osinachi, to death by hanging.

Mr Nwachukwu was found guilty of culpable murder, as the court held that he caused the death of his wife on April 8, 2022.

The judge ruled that the prosecution met the standard of proof imposed by the law and thus found the defendant guilty.

On June 3, 2022, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) charged Mr Nwachukwu with 23 counts, including culpable murder, which is punishable by death.

Additional charges include criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of minors, and marital abuse. During the trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two children of the late Osinachi, who testified as the fourth and fifth prosecution witnesses.

The prosecution submitted 25 documents as evidence before the court. In his defence, the defendant testified personally, called for additional witnesses, and tendered four exhibits.

Reginald Nwali, the defence counsel, begged the court to be lenient in his “allocutus” (plea for mercy) just before his sentencing hearing. However, prosecuting attorney Aderonke Imala urged the court to enforce the law as prescribed.

The judge then condemned Nwachukwu to death by hanging on count 1, and to two years in jail on counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18.

Yewande Gbola-Awopetun, Head of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Ministry of Justice, filed the case with charge number CR/199/2022 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on May 20, 2022, Premium Times reports.

The Attorney-General of the Federation charged him by sections 104 and 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015. Nwachukwu was charged with culpable murder under Section 221 of the Penal Code, which is punishable by death.

The federal government claimed that the defendant violated the deceased’s liberty by restricting her movement and shutting her up in the residence.

OSG had reported that Osinachi died on April 8, and several of her colleagues accused her husband of exposing her to domestic violence, which caused her death.

The 42-year-old vocalist was the lead singer for the Dunamis International Gospel Centre. The singer rose to prominence with the smash single “Ekwueme,” which she performed alongside Prospa Ochimana.

The singer was previously rumoured to have died of throat cancer. Still, shortly after the news of her death went viral, her family and friends lamented that her union with Peter Nwachukwu was a violent one.

Mr Nwachukwu was arrested by the police in Abuja on April 11, 2022, after Osinachi’s younger brother reported a case against him.

Reactions trail the death sentence given to Osinachi’s husband

OSG compiled the reactions below:

@sweetmango_123:
“The children lost both parents. The children need our prayers and supports. It is well.”

@jimraphofficial:
“Justice at last.”

@ambchimezieisaac:
“He really deserves this punishment, while he rust in hell fire 🔥 🙌.”

@idorenyin30:
“Who will sign the death warrant.”

@mcconfessofficial:
“Sane Nigerian court that couldn’t see what killed mohbad 😂.”

@leeton_capital:
“Watin him do.”

@michaelshoulders:
“I hope other people both men and women will learn the right lessons from this horrible story😢.”

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