The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme ruled on Monday, dismissing Nwachukwu’s no-case submission.
The court convicted him of culpable homicide in connection with his wife’s death on April 8, 2022.
On June 3, 2022, Nwachukwu was arraigned on a 23-count charge issued by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
Culpable homicide, spouse abuse, child abuse, and criminal intimidation were among the charges.
The prosecution presented 25 exhibits and called 17 witnesses, including two of the deceased’s children, during the trial.
In his defence testimony, the defendant produced four more witnesses and four exhibits.
Judge Nwosu-Iheme concluded in her ruling that the prosecution had established its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Nwachukwu was condemned to death by hanging on Count 1 despite Reginald Nwali, his attorney, pleading for compassion.
In addition, Osinachi’s was fined ₦700,000 and given additional prison terms ranging from six months to three years on a number of other charges.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme concluded that the prosecution had established its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Despite pleas for clemency from Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, the court sentenced him to death by hanging on Count 1.
He also received additional prison sentences ranging from six months to three years for many other crimes, as well as a total fine of N700,000.
Mrs Aderonke Imana represented the prosecution.
Osinachi died on April 8, 2022, at the age of 42.
She rose to prominence in 2017 after collaborating with Prospa Ochimana on the gospel hit song “Ekwueme“.
After her death, some colleagues accused her husband of subjecting her to domestic violence, which caused her death.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
