Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel sensation Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging following his conviction in connection with her death three years ago. The judgment, delivered by Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme at the High Court in Abuja, brings an end to a trial that has stirred deep emotions across Nigeria.
Initially, Osinachi’s death at the age of 42 was attributed to throat cancer. However, troubling allegations from her family soon surfaced, accusing her husband of years of domestic violence that they claimed ultimately led to her demise.
Despite Peter Nwachukwu’s consistent denials, the court found him guilty of 23 charges, including culpable homicide, emotional and psychological abuse, cruelty to children, and criminal intimidation. During the trial, 17 witnesses—including two of the couple’s four children—testified, offering harrowing accounts of repeated abuse behind the closed doors of their home.
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In her ruling, Justice Nwosu-Iheme declared that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the imposition of the maximum penalty under Nigerian law. Although sentenced to death, it remains uncertain whether Nwachukwu will actually be executed, as Nigeria has historically been slow to enforce the death penalty. He still has the right to appeal the judgment.
The case has captivated national attention, not just because of Osinachi’s prominence in gospel music, but because it has once again cast a harsh light on the epidemic of domestic violence in the country.
Osinachi, whose haunting vocals on the 2017 hit song Ekwueme touched millions—amassing over 136 million views on YouTube—leaves behind four young children and a grieving nation. As the dust settles on the courtroom battle, many Nigerians are calling for stronger measures to protect victims of domestic abuse, hoping that no more lives will be lost in silence.
