Three years after her controversial death, popular gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu got justice as the Federal High Court, Abuja, found her husband, Peter Nwachukwu, guilty of culpable homicide in connection with her death and sentenced him to death by hanging.
Osinachi, who died at an Abuja hospital on April 8, 2022, was aged 42 and a lead singer at the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja. She was featured on the 2017 hit gospel song ‘Ekwueme,’ which has more than 136 million YouTube views.
After her death, Nwachukwu was arrested and charged with culpable homicide, spousal battery, cruelty to children and criminal intimidation following complaints from her relatives and friends who accused him of domestic violence leading to her death. He had allegedly kicked her in the chest, causing her to be hospitalised. In his defence, he had said: “What killed my wife was cancer of the lungs; I didn’t hit my wife.”
Two of the couple’s four children were prosecution witnesses during his trial. The prosecution had alleged that he deprived the deceased of her liberty by restraining her movement and locking her up in the house. The prosecution also accused him of subjecting her to emotional, verbal and psychological abuse.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme convicted him of the 23 charges, saying the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. Apart from the death sentence, he was also sentenced to prison, ranging from six months to three years on several other counts, and was fined a total of N700,000.
The case attracted public interest on account of the singer’s prominence and the dimension of alleged domestic abuse. It further highlighted the problem of gender-based violence in homes.
After Osinachi died, her relatives and friends said they had pleaded with her to leave her husband, but she was opposed to separation and believed he would change. Her husband was described as domineering and perhaps envious of her success. The case demonstrates that victims of domestic abuse should be able to identify when it is no longer safe to be in the relationship, and self-preservation demands that they leave.
A gender rights activist and founder of DOHS Cares Foundation, Ololade Ajayi, was reported saying it was “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.” The organisation engages in activities that “guarantee the rights of women, children and vulnerable people” and has proposed a Feminine Bill that is currently before the National Assembly.
The punishment in this case should send a strong signal against domestic abuse. It should also encourage victims of gender-based violence to speak up. Cases of domestic violence in the country, with women usually on the receiving end, include battery, beatings, torture, acid baths, rape, and possible death. Many of the victims remain silent about violations of their rights.
There are concerns that incidents of domestic violence are increasing in the country. Punishing abusers will act as a deterrent.
Osinachi’s mother and her twin sibling are said to be raising the couple’s children. Sadly, with their mother dead and their father sentenced to death for her death, the children may well need therapy to live with the reality of their situation.
Nwachukwu has the right to appeal. However, his death sentence raises an issue: Nigerian authorities rarely implement the death sentence. That is why there is congestion on death row.
For instance, in March, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) said the number of prisoners on death row had risen from 3,590 in September 2024 to 3,688 in March 2025. This represents an addition of 98 prisoners within six months. The then Acting Controller-General of NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, gave the figures when he appeared for screening before the Senate Committee on Interior.
Given the problematic execution of the death sentence in the country, it remains to be seen if justice for Osinachi will be justice indeed.
