Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of late renowned gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging.

Justice Nwosu-Iheme of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting at Wuse Zone 2 in Abuja, delivered the judgment on Monday, finding Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide, which led to Osinachi’s death on April 8, 2022.

The judge ruled that the prosecution successfully established its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022, on a 23-count charge brought by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, involving homicide, spousal and child cruelty, criminal intimidation, and battery.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses — including two of the deceased’s children — and tendered 25 exhibits. In his defence, Nwachukwu testified personally, called four additional witnesses, and submitted four exhibits.

Before sentencing, Nwachukwu’s lawyer, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency, while prosecutor Mrs. Aderonke Imala urged the court to impose the maximum penalties.

Ultimately, Justice Nwosu-Iheme sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on count one. He also received two years’ imprisonment each on counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18; six months’ imprisonment on count 10; three years on count 11; and fines of ₦500,000 and ₦200,000 on counts 6 and 7, respectively.