Abuja, April 28, 2025 — In a landmark ruling, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu to death by hanging for the culpable homicide of his wife, the late Nigerian gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu. The verdict, delivered on Monday by Justice Nwosu-Iheme, marks the culmination of a highly publicized trial that has gripped the nation and reignited conversations about domestic violence in Nigeria.
Osinachi, a celebrated gospel artist known for her hit song “Ekwueme,” passed away on April 8, 2022, at the age of 42. Initial reports suggested she succumbed to throat cancer, but subsequent revelations from family members, church associates, and neighbors painted a grim picture of prolonged domestic abuse.
Witnesses alleged that Nwachukwu had subjected Osinachi to years of physical and emotional violence, with a particularly brutal incident, where he allegedly kicked her in the chest preceding her death. An autopsy later confirmed that her death was not due to cancer but rather the result of injuries sustained from the abuse.
The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), arraigned Nwachukwu on June 3, 2022, on a 23-count charge, including culpable homicide, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, and spousal battery. Culpable homicide, under Nigerian law, carries the death penalty upon conviction. The trial saw intense scrutiny as the prosecution presented 17 witnesses, including Osinachi’s two children, who provided harrowing testimonies about the abuse their mother endured. The prosecution also submitted 25 documents as evidence, building a compelling case against Nwachukwu.
Nwachukwu, in his defense, testified on his own behalf and called four witnesses, presenting four exhibits to counter the allegations. However, the court found the prosecution’s evidence overwhelming. Justice Nwosu-Iheme, in her ruling, stated that the prosecution had successfully proven the burden of proof required by law, declaring Nwachukwu guilty on the charge of culpable homicide. She sentenced him to death by hanging on Count 1, while also handing down additional sentences on other counts, including two years imprisonment on several charges, six months on another, and fines of N500,000 and N200,000 on others.
Before the sentencing, Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency, citing mitigating factors. However, the prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to uphold the law, emphasizing the severity of the crime and its impact on Osinachi’s family and the broader society. Justice Nwosu-Iheme remained unmoved, delivering a sentence that many see as a strong message against domestic violence in Nigeria.
Osinachi’s death and the subsequent trial have shone a spotlight on the pervasive issue of domestic violence in Nigeria. According to a 2023 report by the National Bureau of Statistics, 31% of Nigerian women have experienced physical violence, often within marriage, with many cases going unreported due to cultural norms that normalize such abuse. The 2008 Demographic and Health Survey further revealed that over 30.5% of married women have faced physical, emotional, or sexual violence, with pregnant women particularly vulnerable to abuse from both spouses and in-laws.
Women’s rights advocates have hailed the court’s decision as a step toward justice but stress that more needs to be done to address the root causes of domestic violence. “This ruling sends a message that abusers will face consequences, but we need systemic change—better education, stronger support systems for victims, and a cultural shift to end the acceptance of violence against women,” said Adaobi Nwankwo, a gender rights activist in Abuja.
As the nation reflects on this tragic case, Osinachi’s legacy as a gospel singer who touched millions with her voice endures, even as her death underscores the urgent need to combat domestic violence in Nigeria. For now, her children face an uncertain future, and the country grapples with the broader implications of a scourge that continues to claim lives.