By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), High Court, sitting at Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi, to death by hanging.
The court found the convict guilty of a 23-count charge of culpable homicide, punishable by death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, spousal battery, and other related offences.
Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022, by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF) on behalf of the Federal Government following the death of wife on April 8, 2022.
Delivering the judgement, the court held that the prosecution successfully established its case against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.
In her judgment, Justice Nwosu-Iheme in Count 1, sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging.
The court also imposed two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18; six months imprisonment on Count 10; and three years on Count 11.
Additionally, the defendant was fined N500,000 and N200,000 on Counts 6 and 7 respectively.
During the proceedings, the prosecution presented 17 witnesses, including two of the couple’s children who testified as the fourth and fifth prosecution witnesses.
In addition, 25 documentary exhibits were tendered before the court. Nwachukwu, on his part, testified in his own defence and called four additional witnesses while tendering four exhibits.
Before the sentencing, the defendant’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, pleaded with the court for leniency in its sentencing.
Responding, counsel to the prosecution, Mrs. Aderonke Imala, urged the court to uphold the law as prescribed.
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