Should the Federal Government pull through with the 23-count charges it has filed against Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late popular gospel artist, Osinachi, who died on Friday, April 8, 2022 after he allegedly assaulted her, the accused may die by hanging.

Nwacukwu, who was charged under sections 104 and 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, was specifically charged with culpable homicide contrary to section 221 of the Penal Code which is punishable with death.

The case with charge number, CR/199/2022, was filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on May 20, 2022, by the Head, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Ministry of Justice, Yewande Gbola-Awopetun.

The 42-year-old musician died after spending days at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja.

Her husband was consequently arrested by the Nigeria Police after colleagues of Osinachi, who was a lead singer at the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja, accused him of beating her.

Popular Pastor, Dr Paul Enenche is the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja.  

Count one reads, “That you Peter Nwachukwu, 56, male, on the 8th of April, 2022 at Aco Estate, opposite police station, Lugbe, Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did commit an offence to with: culpable homicide punishable with death in that you caused the death of Mrs. Osinachi Nwachukwu by your various acts of violence and aggravated assault with the knowledge that her death would be the probable consequence of your acts.”

Count two, “Statement of offence: Wilfully placing a person in fear of physical injury contrary to section 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same section of the Act.”

This move by the Federal Government keys into the clamour by concerned Nigerians that the alleged killer husband of Osinachi should be brought to book to face the law and to serve as deterrent to other individuals who make domestic violence their stock in trade thus endangering the lives of their partners.