Nigerian government begins prosecuting late singer Osinachi Nwachukwu’s husband
The Nigerian federal government has begun prosecuting Peter Nwachukwu for culpable homicide. 23 charges have been levied against him for allegedly deliberately killing another person in violation of section 221 of the Nigerian penal code. This section assigns death as punishment for such a crime. The case was transferred to the federal court of Abuja on May 20 2022 by the head of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Yewande Gbola-Awopetun.
In the file, it is stated that Osinachi was forcefully ejected from her matrimonial home by her husband, contrary to the Violence Against Persons, VAP (Prohibition) Act, 2015. It is also alleged that Peter Nwachukwu once pushed his late wife out of a moving vehicle and even deprived the deceased of her personal liberty by restraining her movement and/or locking her up in their house. Moreover, Mr. Nwachukwu is accused of subjecting the deceased to emotional, verbal and psychological abuse, contrary to section 14(1) of the VAP Act, 2015. Investigations also revealed that the defendant denied Osinachi access to her money for medication and household necessities, and thereby forcing her into begging and borrowing. He is also accused of forcefully isolating and separating his late wife from her family by preventing her mother and siblings from visiting her matrimonial home.
The late singer’s family members and friends had in addition publicly accused Peter Nwachukwu of regularly beating his wife and maltreating her. Gospel singer frank Edwards also claimed that he was a witness of this abuse.
Peter Nwachukwu had initially declared that the late Osinachi had died from throat cancer.
The singer’s family have said she will most probably be buried on June 25th in her father’s house in Issuochi, Abia state.
