By Ghazali Ibrahim 
A High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of late gospel music sensation Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme, who presided over the case, delivered the verdict on Monday, April 28, 2025, finding Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide following a lengthy and closely watched trial.
The proceedings began after Osinachi’s tragic death on April 8, 2022, a loss that shocked the Nigerian gospel community and sparked widespread calls for justice.
The trial formally commenced on June 3, 2022, with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) prosecuting the case on behalf of the Federal Government.
Nwachukwu faced a 23-count charge, including culpable homicide punishable by death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, and spousal battery.
During the course of the trial, 17 witnesses including two of the couple’s children testified against Nwachukwu.
Their testimonies were instrumental in solidifying the prosecution’s case.
In her ruling, Justice Nwosu-Iheme emphasized that the prosecution successfully proved its allegations beyond reasonable doubt and noted that Nwachukwu failed to present any convincing defense that could exonerate him from responsibility for his wife’s death.
Osinachi Nwachukwu, known for her hit gospel track “Ekwueme,” had her death initially attributed to throat cancer.
However, revelations of sustained domestic abuse shifted the focus of investigations, culminating in the charges against her husband.
Following the judgment, there was an outpouring of reactions on social media, with many praising the court’s decision as a significant moment in the fight against domestic violence in Nigeria.
Peter Nwachukwu is expected to face execution by hanging, as stipulated under Nigerian law for cases of culpable homicide.
