...To get all news updates, Join our WhatsApp Group (Click Here)
Also Join our WhatsApp Channel (Click Here)
Some gender advocates have welcomed the ruling of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Monday, sentencing Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
The court delivered the sentence after finding Nwachukwu guilty of culpable homicide, which resulted in the death of the deceased (Osinachi) on April 8, 2022.
The trial judge, Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme, in her ruling, held that the prosecution had successfully discharged the burden of proof required by law and subsequently found the defendant guilty.
Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022, by the Attorney-General of the Federation on behalf of the Federal Government.
He faced a 23-count charge that included culpable homicide punishable by death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, spousal battery, and other related offences.
During the trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two children of the late gospel singer, who testified as the fourth and fifth prosecution witnesses (PW4 and PW5).
The prosecution also presented 25 documents as exhibits before the court.
For the defence, the defendant testified on his behalf and called four other witnesses, while also tendering four exhibits.
Before sentencing, Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, in his plea for mercy (allocutus), urged the court to show leniency in its judgment.
However, the prosecuting counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the court to enforce the full weight of the law.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme subsequently sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1.
Additionally, he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 18.
The court also sentenced the defendant to six months’ imprisonment on Count 10, three years’ imprisonment on Count 11, and imposed fines of N500,000 and N200,000 on Counts 6 and 7, respectively.
Speaking on the ruling, gender rights activist and founder of DOHS Cares Foundation, Ololade Ajayi, described the verdict as satisfactory, saying it sends a strong warning to potential offenders.
Ajayi labelled Osinachi’s death a case of femicide, stressing that it resulted from a series of violent acts rather than a single incident.
She said, “This victory is personal and satisfactory for us at DOHS Cares. It sends a strong message to perpetrators who, one way or another, intentionally kill their wives. This is a clear case of femicide — violence against a woman with the intent to kill. It is rarely a one-off incident, but usually a pattern of abuse that eventually leads to death.”
Ajayi, however, urged the judiciary to fast-track similar cases to ensure timely justice for victims.
She also called on the government to provide support for the children of victims.
“The only concern is that the trial took too long. Moving forward, there should be speedy trials and swift judgments. In addition, the government must make provisions to support the children left behind, helping them heal from the trauma. This is part of what we have proposed in our Feminine Bill currently before the National Assembly,” she added.
Similarly, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and gender rights activist, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, hailed the judgment as a landmark ruling that offers hope to victims of gender-based violence.
Reacting on X.com, Ezeilo wrote, “Justice has finally been served for the late gospel singer Osinachi, as the FCT High Court convicted and sentenced her husband, Peter Nwachukwu, for her tragic death in April 2022.
“This landmark ruling not only serves as a deterrent to potential offenders but also gives hope to victims of gender-based violence, encouraging them to speak out.
“The mother and the twin sibling now raising the three children who endured this trauma deserve our unwavering support. Let this victory for justice spark lasting change and better protection for all.”
You can get every of our news as soon as they drop on WhatsApp ...To get all news updates, Join our WhatsApp Group (Click Here)
Also Join our WhatsApp Channel (Click Here)
