Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of culpable homicide.

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice Nwosu-Iheme ruled that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, establishing that Nwachukwu’s actions led to the death of his wife on April 8, 2022.

Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022, by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) on behalf of the Federal Government. He faced a 23-count charge, including culpable homicide punishable by death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, spousal battery, and related offenses.

During the course of the trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, among them two of the couple’s children, who testified as the fourth and fifth prosecution witnesses. In addition, the prosecution tendered 25 documents as evidence before the court.

The defendant testified in his own defense and called four witnesses while tendering four exhibits.

Prior to sentencing, Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, appealed for leniency, while prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to enforce the full weight of the law.

Delivering the sentence, Justice Nwosu-Iheme ordered that Nwachukwu be executed by hanging on Count 1, the charge of culpable homicide. In addition, he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18; six months’ imprisonment on Count 10; and three years’ imprisonment on Count 11.

The court also imposed fines of ₦500,000 and ₦200,000 respectively on Counts 6 and 7.

The ruling brings a dramatic conclusion to a case that has drawn widespread attention and sparked national outrage over issues of domestic violence and spousal abuse.