On Monday, JusticeNwosu-Iheme of FCT High Court Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, sentenced the husband of late gospel musician, Osinachi, Mr. Peter Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
The court found Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide leading to the death of the deceased wife, Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu, on April 8, 2022.
The judge ruled that the prosecution had substantially proven its case beyond reasonable doubt to the court, and consequently, the defendant was found guilty.
the Office of Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), arraigned Mr. Nwachukwu on June 3, 2022 on behalf of the Federal Government, on a 23-count charge.
The charge ranges from culpable homicide which is punishable by death, criminal intimidation, spousal battery, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children, among others.
During the trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, among which were two children of the late gospel musician Osinachi, who testified as fourth prosecution witness (PW4) and fifth prosecution witness (PW5)
The prosecution further tendered 25 exhibits before the court. Other other hand, the defendant testified for the defence, and further called four witnesses and as well tendered four exhibits in his defence.
Prior to sentencing, the defendant counsel , Reginald Nwali, in his formal speech pleaded with the court to show leniency in its judgment.
The prosecution counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, however, urged the court to give force to the law as stipulated.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1, while he was sentenced to two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8,9, 12, 13, and 18.
The court equally sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment on Count 10, three years imrisonment in Count 11, and fined him the sum of N500,000 and N200,000 respectively on Counts 6 and 7 respectively.
