Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
In a landmark ruling, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Wuse Zone 2 has found Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, guilty of culpable homicide.
Truth Live News gathered that Justice Njideka Nwosu-lheme delivered the judgment, convicting Nwachukwu on multiple counts, including culpable homicide punishable by death, spousal battery, and child cruelty. The charges stem from the death of Osinachi on April 8, 2022, which the prosecution argued resulted from prolonged domestic abuse.
The Federal Government had filed a 23-count charge against Nwachukwu, encompassing offenses such as culpable homicide, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, and spousal battery. The prosecution presented 17 witnesses during the trial, which commenced on June 20, 2022, and concluded on March 10, 2023.
An autopsy conducted by the National Hospital in Abuja revealed no external marks of violence but identified internal conditions, including fluid in the sac containing the heart and tumor deposits in vital organs. While the defense argued that these findings indicated natural causes, the court determined that the cumulative evidence pointed to a pattern of abuse leading to Osinachi’s death.
The conviction of Peter Nwachukwu is an attempt by the Nigerian judiciary’s in addressing domestic violence and holding perpetrators accountable. It also highlights the importance of societal awareness and legal mechanisms in protecting victims of abuse.