Court Sentences Gospel Singer Osinachi’s Husband to Death by Hanging

Court Sentences Gospel Singer Osinachi’s Husband to Death by Hanging

  • Peter Nwachukwu, widower of late gospel sensation Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging
  • The Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, issued the landmark decision on Monday, April 28
  • Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme ruled over the emotionally charged case, and the judgment ignited reactions around their marriage

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 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja sentences Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late singer Osinachi, to death by hanging.
Nigerians react as the FCT High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, sentences Peter Nwachukwu, the widower of the late gospel singer Osinachi, to death by hanging. Credit: @osinachi
Source: Instagram

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.

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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 four 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.

After a months-long trial, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, finally sentences Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late singer Osinachi, to death by hanging.
Fresh twist as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, sentences Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late singer Osinachi, to death by hanging.. Credit: @osinachi
Source: Instagram

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.

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Late gospel musician Osinachi's husband, Peter Nwachukwu Sentenced to Death by Hanging

The Attorney-General of the Federation charged him in accordance with 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.

Legit.ng 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.

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

Late singer Osinachi’s husband ignites reactions online

Legit.ng compiled the reactions below:

sweetmango_123 said:

"The children lost both parents. The children need our prayers and supports. It is well."

jimraphofficial said:

"Justice at last."

ambchimezieisaac said:

"He really deserves this punishment,while he rust in hell fire 🔥 🙌."

idorenyin30 wrote:

"Who will sign the death warrant."

mcconfessofficial said:

"Sane Nigerian court that couldn’t see what killed mohbad 😂."

leeton_capital said:

"Watin him do."

michaelshoulders said:

"I hope other people both men and women will learn the right lessons from this horrible story😢."

Osinachi’s daughter wows fans with her voice

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Nigerians remembered that Osinachi after a video of her little daughter surfaced on the internet.

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In the video that has gone viral, the young girl was seen handling the mic effortlessly as she led a worship session.

Following that performance, fans and netizens took a moment to compare her voice to the late singer's and applauded her.

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Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Chinasa Afigbo avatar

Chinasa Afigbo (Entertainment Editor) Chinasa Afigbo is a pop culture/music journalist and content writer with over four years of experience in other mainstream media organisations, including Vanguard Media and Guardian Life. She holds a degree in Information Management Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO). She also moved on to pursue courses in writing & media communications. Chinasa has also been published in other Intl journals, like The African Report. Reach her at: chinasa.afigbo@corp.legit.ng.

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