KINGSLEY EBERE
The husband of late gospel music sensation Osinachi, Peter Nwachukwu, who was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging, is set to file an appeal against the judgment for culpable homicide in connection with her death on 8th April, 2022.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Wuse Zone 2, sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging.
The presiding judge, Justice Iheme found Nwachukwu guilty during the judgment delivered in the case filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) and sentenced him accordingly.
The judge stated that the prosecution had proven the burden of proof placed on it by the law and subsequently found the defendant guilty as charged.
The Federal Government had brought a 23-count charge against Nwachukwu, bordering on the offences such as culpable homicide punishable by death, spousal battery, child cruelty, and criminal intimidation of both spouse and children.
The judge, after considering the evidence presented by the prosecution, Justice Nwosu-Iheme ruled that the charges had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to Nwachukwu’s conviction.
In her judgment, the court found that the evidence, which included testimony from Osinachi’s children and other witnesses, clearly supported the charges.
The prosecution had called 17 witnesses, including the deceased’s two children, who testified as fourth and fifth prosecution witnesses. The court also received 25 documents as exhibits.
The judge, Justice Nwosu-Iheme, sentenced Peter Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1, the culpable homicide charge, while he was sentenced to various terms of imprisonment for the other charges.
Nwachukwu received two years each on Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18. He was also sentenced to six months imprisonment on Count 10 and three years imprisonment on Count 11. Additionally, he was fined N500,000 and N200,000 on Counts 6 and 7, respectively.
Before sentencing, Nwachukwu’s defense counsel, Reginald Nwali, pleaded for leniency, asking the court to be compassionate in its judgment.
On the other hand, prosecution counsel, Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to apply the law as stipulated, ensuring that justice was served.
After the judgment, members of Nwachukwu family were said to have directed his lawyer, Reginald Nwali, to file an appeal against the judgement to save Nwachukwu from being hanged to death based on the judgment of the High Court.