Court Sentences Osinachi Nwachukwu’s Husband to Death by Hanging

In a landmark judgment delivered on April 28, 2025, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of late Nigerian gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.

Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme, who presided over the case, found Peter Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide, determining that his abusive actions directly led to the tragic death of his wife in April 2022. Though initially reported that Osinachi died of throat cancer, a detailed investigation and testimonies from family members and witnesses later revealed that she had endured years of domestic violence at the hands of her husband.

Peter Nwachukwu was charged with 23 counts, including culpable homicide, spousal battery, and child cruelty. In addition to the death sentence for homicide, he also received multiple prison terms and fines for the other charges brought against him.

Osinachi Nwachukwu, a celebrated gospel artist best known for her soul-stirring feature on the hit song “Ekwueme,” captivated millions with her powerful voice and inspirational music. Her untimely death at the age of 42 sparked widespread outrage and ignited a national conversation about domestic violence in Nigeria.

During the trial, harrowing testimonies from Osinachi’s children and close associates painted a grim picture of sustained physical and emotional abuse within the marriage. The court concluded that the brutality she suffered over the years culminated in her untimely demise.

Reacting to the verdict, many Nigerians expressed a sense of relief and hope that justice had been served. Women’s rights advocates and domestic violence activists hailed the ruling as a significant step forward in holding abusers accountable, regardless of their public standing.

This judgment sends a strong message that domestic violence will not be tolerated, and that perpetrators, no matter their status, will face the full weight of the law.

Osinachi’s legacy lives on not just through her music but now also through the movement for justice and protection of the vulnerable that her story has inspired.