All to know of Osinachi’s husband death sentence
Late Osinachi Nwachukwu (left) with her husband Peter Nwachukwu (right). Photo Credit- Punch
Peter Nwachukwu was sentenced to death by hanging by a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja for the death of his wife, gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, who died in 2022 amid allegations of domestic abuse. The verdict, after a three-year trial, reignited discussions on justice and domestic violence in Nigeria.
Osinachi’s death at 42 was initially blamed on throat cancer, but friends and family revealed years of abuse by Peter, leading to his arrest and 23 charges of culpable homicide and domestic violence. The #JusticeForOsinachi movement gained attention from the public, highlighting the widespread issue of domestic abuse in Nigeria.
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The trial, spanning June 2022 to March 2023, faced delays and conflicting evidence, with the defense citing an autopsy linking Osinachi’s death to tumors, not abuse. However, Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme dismissed the no-case submission in 2023, and 17 witnesses, including Osinachi’s twin sister, testified to her suffering.
The death by hanging verdict left Osinachi’s family with mixed feelings, while they are grateful for justice, they are mourning her preventable and untimely death. Many felt the three-year trial exposed Nigeria’s slow judicial system, as earlier misinformation about Peter’s sentencing reflected public frustration with delays.
The case shows Nigeria’s domestic violence crisis, where cultural norms often silence victims, and highlights the need for faster justice and better support systems. Osinachi’s story has become a rallying cry for change, urging stronger laws and awareness to protect women.
