The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Wuse has ordered the remand of Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer, Osinachi, at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the hearing and determination of the homicide-related suit preferred against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
The presiding judge, Justice N.K. Nwosu-Iheme, gave the order on Friday after the defendant pleaded not guilty to 23 counts bordering on domestic violence and homicide, among others.
The judge, therefore, adjourned trial to June 16 and 17, 2022.
“The business for today is for arraignment, accelerated hearing is hereby ordered.
“Defendant should be remanded in Kuje Correctional Facility pending the hearing and determination of this suit,” Justice Nwosu-Iheme said.
The untimely death of Osinachi on April 8 was allegedly linked to the battering in the hands of her husband.
The 42-year-old gospel artiste had died after spending days at a hospital in Abuja.
Following the death of Osinachi, some colleagues of the renowned singer, well known for the hit song, ‘Ekwueme’, accused her husband of beating and maltreating the gospel singer.
This led to the arrest of Nwachukwu by the FCT Police Command.
The command later said it has forwarded the autopsy result conducted on the late gospel singer to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for vetting and possible prosecution.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh, in a statement, said the autopsy was conducted on the late popular gospel singer to demystify the circumstances surrounding her death.
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The police spokesperson, however, urged the public to be patient and trust in the process, adding that due diligence would be observed in the pursuit of justice in the matter.
According to the charge, the crime Nwachukwu allegedly committed contravenes Sections 104 and 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA) 2015, Section 221 of the Penal Code and the Violence Against Person’s Prohibition Act (VAPP) 2015.
The charge read in part: “That you Peter Nwachukwu, 56, male, on the April 8 at Aco Estate, opposite Police Station, Lugbe, Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this court, did commit an offence to with: culpable homicide punishable with death in that you caused the death of Osinachi N.
“This was caused by your various acts of violence and aggravated assault with the knowledge that her death would be the probable consequence of your act.
“Particulars of offence: That you, Peter Nwachukwu, male, sometime between Nov. 14, 2009 and April 2022 at Aco Estate, opposite Police Station, Lugbe, Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this court, did commit an offence to wit: emotional, verbal and psychological abuse on Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu (deceased).
“This was caused by humiliating her and making utterances like ‘you are smelling,’ ‘you are mad,’ to her in the presence of her music crew members.”
