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Tag: Osinachi nwachukwu

  • BREAKING: Late gospel singer Osinachi’s husband sentenced to death by hanging

    BREAKING: Late gospel singer Osinachi’s husband sentenced to death by hanging

    Justice Nwosu-Iheme of a FCT High Court Wuse Zone 2 in Abuja on Monday sentenced the husband of late gospel singer, Osinachi, Peter Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.

    Nwachukwu was found guilty of culpable homicide resulting in the death of the deceased (his wife) on April 8, 2022.

    The judge held that the prosecution had proven the burden of proof placed on it by the law and subsequently found the defendant guilty.

    Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022 by the Office of Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), on behalf of the Federal Government, on a 23-count charge .

    The charge was on culpable homicide punishable with death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children, spousal battery, among others.

    In the course of trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two children of the late Osinachi, who testified as fourth prosecution and fifth prosecution witnesses, PW4 and PW5 respectively.

    The prosecution also tendered 25 documents as exhibits before the court.

    The defendant testified for the defence and further called four other witnesses and tendered four exhibits in his defence.

    Shortly before sentencing, the defendant, counsel, Reginald Nwali, in his allocutus pleaded with the court to be lenient in its judgment.

    Similarly, the prosecution counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the court to give force to the law as stipulated.

    Justice Nwosu-Iheme subsequently sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1, while he was sentenced to two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8,9, 12, 13, and 18.

    The court sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment on Count 10, three years imprisonment in Count 11, while he was fined the sum of N500,000 and N200,000 respectively on Counts 6 and 7 respectively.

  • Late Osinachi’s husband found guilty of culpable homicide

    Late Osinachi’s husband found guilty of culpable homicide

    The husband of late gospel singer, Osinachi, Peter Nwachukwu has been found guilty of culpable homicide which resulted in her death on April 8, 2022.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting at Wuse Zone 2, on Monday found Nwachukwu guilty while delivering judgment in his trial brought before court by the Office of  Attorney-General of the Federation, OAGF.

    The Federal Government arraigned the defendant on a 23-count charge bordering on culpable homicide punishable with death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children, spousal battery, among others.

    Details later…

  • Osinachi’s death: 2 employees make damning allegations against husband

    Osinachi’s death: 2 employees make damning allegations against husband

    Two employees of late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu on Tuesday made damning allegations against the late singer’s husband, Peter Nwachukwu.

    The two employees, Mr Adetunji  Moses, a former Personal Assistant to  Osinachi and Ms Blessing Iyamabe, a hairstylist told a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that her husband verbally and physically abused her.

    Mr Moses while giving his testimony led by the prosecution counsel, Yewande Gbola- Awopetu, alleged that on different occasions, Nwachukwu during rehearsals will refer to his wife as useless, lazy and indolent.

    He said he worked with the defendant and his wife as a PA and also a keyboardist from September 2018 to March 2021.

    Moses alleged that he left because he could no longer bear the anger of the defendant which was most times directed at him.

    ”In 2018, we travelled to Enugu. I was informed by the people who invited us that Nwachukwu left strict instructions that nobody should be allowed to visit mummy Osinachi.

    ”It was later I got to know that her family resided in Enugu and they were the reason he gave the instructions.

    ”On another occasion, we were to travel to Zimbabwe for ministration and that morning, Nwachukwu got into an argument with his mother-in-law who was visiting at the time and due to the altercation, we missed our flight.

    ”He tried to book us on another flight, but to no avail and on our way back from the airport, having missed our flight, it was a serious battle as Nwachukwu kept abusing his wife verbally.

    ”He told her that her family members were around to hinder our progress, to shut the door of the ministry and the blessings of God”, Moses alleged.

    The former PA further alleged that the defendant during a programme in Lagos instructed him not to allow the deceased’s twin sister to share the stage with her during ministration.

    Moses stated that on a visit to Uyo for another ministration, a cheque was issued in the deceased’s name and the defendant followed her to the bank to transfer the money into his account before he paid the crew members.

    “Some of the crew members like the bass guitarist got angry and left the group because of the defendant’s refusal to keep to the terms of their agreement which is to pay them a percentage from every ministration,” he said.

    During cross-examination, the defendant’s lead counsel, I. A. Aliyu asked Moses if the deceased always complained about ulcer pains to him and he said yes.

    Aliyu equally asked how close Moses was to the deceased as her PA. He said they had close interaction whenever they travel for ministration outside Abuja.

    The counsel also asked him if he was angry with the defendant because he refused to increase his salary and Moses replied no.

    Also giving evidence, Ms Blessing Iyamabe, hair stylist to Moses, 40, a resident of No 7, Lugbe Zone 6, Abuja alleged that sometime in 2013, when she went to the deceased’s house to make her hair, the defendant called his wife to give him her car key but Osinachi sent her son to give the defendant the key.

    “The defendant got angry, came to where we were making the hair and slapped his wife. I witnessed another abuse in 2018. He came to my shop and slapped the deceased for not seeking his permission before coming to the salon, she alleged.

    She said on one occasion she had to follow the deceased to her daughter’s school to make her hair because of fear of the defendant.

    She also alleged that she had to make the deceased daughter’s hair in a toilet at a mall because she needed to hide to avoid the defendant.

    While cross-examining her, Aliyu asked the witness if she advised the deceased to ever leave the defendant, as stated in her statement to the police.

    She responded that she gave her the advice because of the way the defendant was treating her.

    When asked if she knew what led to Osinachi’s death, Iyamabe stated that she was told that she died as a result of throat cancer.

    After listening to the testimony, Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme adjourned the matter until Thursday for continuation of trial.

    Nwachukwu, standing trial on  23 count charge bordering on domestic violence and culpable homicide, is accused of being responsible for the death of the late gospel singer who was popularly known for her song “Ekwueme”.

    Nwachukwu was arrested by the police after Osinachi died on April 8.

  • Google highlights Peter Obi, Putin as top trending personalities in first half of 2022

    Google highlights Peter Obi, Putin as top trending personalities in first half of 2022

    Google on Thursday highlighted the top trending personalities, music, movies, high-profile deaths as well as sports that trended in the first half of 2022.

    Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications and Public Relations Manager, Google West Africa said in a statement that the first half of 2020 had been eventful with high-profile deaths, politics, and personalities among others.

    Kola-Ogunlade said that such trends and search were as a results of happenings and events of interest  that caught people’s  attention.

    He said the top three trending people in Nigeria in the first half of the year were Peter Obi, Putin and Bianca Ojukwu .

    The manager said that  Peter Obi is a Nigerian businessman and politician who served as the governor of Anambra  from 2006 to 2014.

    Kola-Ogunlade said that Obi is currently the Labour Party nominee for President of Nigeria in the 2023 presidential election.

    According to him, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President also grabbed the attention of Nigerians in the first six months of 2022 as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine became topical across the globe.

    ‘’Bianca Ojukwu, the widow of late Biafran warlord, Chukuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu also led search interest by Nigerians when she slapped Ebelechukwu, the wife of immediate past governor of Anambra , Chief Willie Obiano.

    ‘’A second famous slap comes in at number five on the list of top trending people, after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars in March.

    ‘’AFCON 2022 topped the list of most searched moments between January and June, Senegal beat Egypt in the final match of the African Cup of Nation (AFCON) football competition to emerge winner,’’ he said.

    According to him, the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)  has seen the majority of Nigerian students in public tertiary institutions.

    The communication manager said that staying out of classes for five months was also a top moment that captured the interest of Nigerians online.

    He said that top of the list of notable deaths was the death of popular Nigerian Gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu.

    According to him, she was allegedly killed by her husband in a case of domestic violence.

    Kola-Ogunlade said that the death of another gospel singer, Chinedu Nwadike, was the second most searched death for Nigerians.

    He said the song, Buga, by Kizz Daniel, featuring Tekno was the number one trending song in the period under review.

    The communication  officer said that blood sisters, a Nigerian series on Netflx starring Nancy Isime and Ini Dima-Okojie topped the list of top trending movies and TV Series by Nigerians from January to June 2022.

    Kola-Ogunlad  said that Olu Jacobs, the veteran Nollywood actor who recently celebrated his 80th birthday  led the list of top trending actors in Nigeria while Raheem Sterling’s journey from Manchester City to Chelsea FC led him to be the number one trending sports personality in Nigeria.

    Search trends information is gleaned from data collated by Google based on what Nigerians have been searching for and asking Google.

  • Gospel singer Osinachi finally laid to rest in Abia state

    Late Nigerian gospel  singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu have been finally laid to rest in Abia State.

    The singer’s body was received in her home town in Amakpoke Umuaku community, Abia around 12:00pm.

    The Ekwueme crooner was buried on Saturday June 25th in Isochi Umunneochi in Abia State, Southeast Nigeria.

    Prior to the final internment on Saturday, a night of worship was held in Abuja on Thursday, June 23 while a Night of Prayer was also held in Isochi, Umunoci in Abia state yesterday, June 24.

    Recall that  Ekwueme singer died on April 8, 2022, in Abuja.

    Osinachi was alleged to have been a victim of domestic violence prior to her death.

    Her death was linked to her husband, Peter Nwachukwu, for which he is standing trial before a Federal Capital Territory High Court.

    Nwachukwu had denied subjecting the late singer to domestic violence.

    He claimed she died of lung cancer.

    Until her death, Osinachi was a chorister at the headquarters of the Dunamis International Gospel Center in Abuja.

    The husband is currently facing trials  in an Abuja court for abusing the deceased, he’s remanded in Kuje prison.

     

  • OSINACHI BURIAL: Late gospel singer finally laid to rest (PHOTOS)

    Amidst tears, the remains of the late Ekwueme singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, have arrived in her hometown in Amakpoke Umuaku community, Abia State (around 12:00pm.) for burial.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Osinachi, who died on April 8, 2022, allegedly suffered domestic violence prior to her death.

     

    Until her death, Osinachi, who sang the popular song ‘Ekwueme’, was a chorister at the headquarters of the Dunamis International Gospel Center in Abuja.

     

    The burial rites of late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, commenced on Tuesday.

     

    Prior to the final internment today (Saturday), a night of worship was held in Abuja on Thursday, June 23 while a Night of Prayer was also held in Isochi, Umunoci in Abia state yesterday, June 24.

    Late Osinachi Nwachukwu

     

    Family members of Osinachi accused her husband, Peter Nwachukwu, of domestic violence, leading to her death.

     

    However, the husband of the late Ekwueme crooner denied brutalizing Osinachi to death, stressing that she died of lung cancer.

     

    Following the allegations against Nwachukwu, the police had arrested him and was charged for allegedly committing the crime that contravenes Sections 104 and 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA) 2015, Section 221 of the Penal Code and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP) 2015.

     

    Speaking at a High Court in Abuja, where he was arraigned, Nwachukwu said he never hit the deceased singer.

     

    “Let me tell the whole world, I have suffered a lot. I have been abandoned. What killed my wife was cancer of the lungs, I didn’t hit my wife.

     

    “Cancer of the lungs killed my wife, Osinachi Nwachukwu, so I’m suffering for what I do not know, “ he spoke while being moved from the courtroom.

     

    Nwachukwu was accused of killing his wife following domestic violence he subjected her to while she was alive.

     

    To this end, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, had arraigned Nwachukwu on a 23-count charge bordering on domestic violence and homicide.

    Peter Nwachukwu in court

     

    The Abuja National Hospital had performed an autopsy on Osinachi but the result was handed over to the police.

     

    Meanwhile, the court had remanded Nwachukwu in Kuje Correctional Facility till the end of the trial.

     

    See photos below:

    Osinachi Osinachi

  • Osinachi’s death: Twin sister of late singer testifies in court

    Osinachi’s death: Twin sister of late singer testifies in court

    Amarachi Ezeh, the twin-sister of late gospel singer, Osinachi, on Tuesday alleged Peter Nwachukwu refused to allow their mother to visit her sick sister.

    Ezeh, 42, testified for the prosecution before a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja in the alleged culpable homicide case against her late sister’s husband, Nwachukwu.

    “Pastor Becky Enenche of Dunamis Church, Abuja, intervened before Nwachukwu allowed our mother, Caroline Madu to visit.

    “He sent our mother out of his house after two weeks. A woman from Delta took our mother in and allowed her to stay in her house for one month. That was the last time our mother visited Osinachi,” she said.

    Ezeh alleged that Nwachukwu beat her sister when she was pregnant. The witness narrated a particular incident where someone gave Osinachi N40,000 and on getting home, she said the defendant opened her purse, took the money, called her a thief, a prostitute and still beat her up.

    The witness in her testimony corroborated most of the allegations earlier given by her mother and sister, Favour on Monday.

    In their earlier testimonies on Monday, they alleged that the late singer never helped her family because the defendant prevented her from doing so.

    They also alleged that the defendant maltreated the deceased. During cross-examination, the defendant’s counsel, I.A.Aliyu asked the witness if she ever made any attempt to find out her sister’s medical condition from the doctors.

    The witness said that she never did because the defendant stopped the family from doing so. The witness shed tears while giving her testimony, and at a point, the defendant too broke down in tears.

    The prosecution counsel, Aderonke Imana had earlier in the proceeding made three oral applications.

    The first one was brought pursuant to the provision of sections 156 and 158 of the Child Rights Act.

    The application prayed the court to rule that persons, other than the parties in the matter, the court officials, correctional service staff and the witness’ guardians, should not be allowed in  court when the witnesses would give their testimonies.

    The second application was premised on Section 160 of the Child Rights Act and Section 209 of the Evidence Act.

    The application prayed the court to allow the other two witnesses, the deceased’s  children who are minors, to give unsworn evidence.

    The final application brought pursuant to section 1, 2 (1) and 157 of the Child Rights Act urged the court to allow the witnesses to be brought to the court blindfolded and their faces to be shielded.

    The judge, Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme asked the defendant’s counsel, if he had an objection to the applications.

    When Aliyu said he was not objecting to the application, the court granted the three applications.

    Ruling on applications, the trial judge held that the applications were in the best interest of a child, whose interest must be considered as paramount during a proceeding by shielding the child while giving testimony.

    The court had on June 3 ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre after he pleaded not guilty to the alleged homicide charge filed against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation.

    He is standing trial on a 23-count charge bordering on domestic violence and homicide instituted against him.

    The defendant is accused of being responsible for the death of the late gospel singer who was popularly known for her song “Ekwueme”.

    Nwachukwu was arrested by the police after his wife Osinachi died on April 8 following widespread allegations by their children, family and colleagues that he battered her.

  • Osinachi’s death: I’m suffering for what I do not know – Husband, Peter cries out

    Osinachi’s death: I’m suffering for what I do not know – Husband, Peter cries out

    Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu has cried out saying he is suffering for what he does not know about.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Peter said this on Friday as he was being moved along after he was ordered to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.

    “Let me tell the whole world, I have suffered a lot. I have been abandoned. What killed my wife was cancer of the lungs, I didn’t hit my wife.

    “Cancer of the lungs killed my wife, Osinachi Nwachukwu, so I’m suffering for what I do not know,“ he said.

    Peter was remanded pending the hearing and determination of the alleged homicide charge filed against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation.

    Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme gave the order following the defendant’s not guilty plea to the  23-count charge bordering on domestic violence and homicide instituted against him.

    The judge also said that the matter would be given an accelerated hearing. She adjourned the matter until June 16 and 17 by 12 noon and 9 am respectively.

    Recall that Peter was arrested by the Nigeria Police after his wife died on April 8 following wide spread allegations by their children, family and colleagues that he battered her leading to her death.

    According to the charge, the crime he 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.”

    The statement of offence bordered on emotional, verbal and psychological abuse contrary to Section 14(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

    TNG reports the late gospel singer was popularly known for her song “Ekwueme”.

  • Osinachi to be buried on June 25 – Family

    The family of the late gospel artist, Osinachi Nwachukwu, has fixed June 25, 2022, for her burial.

     

    According to a message by members of the Osinachi family, Osinachi will be buried in her father’s compound at Isuochi, Abia State instead of her husband’s compound.

     

    The aggrieved family also said they are contemplating returning the singer’s bride price.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that news about the death of Osinachi broke out on 8th April 2022.

     

    It was later alleged by family members and friends that the singer’s death was due to the numerous assaults meted on her by Nwachukwu.

     

    Osinachi came into the limelight with the hit, “Ekwueme”, which she sang alongside Prospa Ochimana, reportedly died on Friday, April 8 in an Abuja hospital.

     

    It was not immediately clear what the cause of her death was, however, an autopsy was carried out by the FCT Police Command and the result was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution for vetting and possible prosecution.

     

    The police also did not give details of the autopsy, but there have been several allegations by family members of the deceased, including her children and other close associates, suggesting that the gospel singer had lived under the torture of her husband during their years of marriage.

     

    This sparked public outcry and national discourse on gender violence, with the police arresting Nwachukwu, the alleged wife beater, with deeper investigations being conducted.

     

    During a meeting between the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Usman Allali Baba and the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen as well as the family members of Osinachi, the police boss assured that the matter would be investigated thoroughly and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

     

    It would be recalled that recently the Attorney-General of the Federation filed 23-count charges against Nwachukwu.

     

    He was charged under sections 104 and 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and 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, Mrs Yewande Gbola-Awopetun.

     

    The prosecutor accused the defendant of forcefully ejecting the deceased from the family home, contrary to the VAP Act, adding that he also attempted culpable homicide by pushing Osinachi out of a moving vehicle.

     

    The Federal Government further alleged that the defendant deprived the deceased of her personal liberty by restraining her movement and locking her up in the house.

     

    Nwachukwu was equally accused of emotional, verbal and psychological abuse contrary to section 14(1) of the VAP Act, 2015.

     

    The defendant was said to have denied Osinachi access to her money for medication and household necessities and forced her into begging and borrowing.

     

    The charge further alleges that Osinachi’s husband forcefully isolated and separated her from her family by preventing the deceased’s mother and siblings from visiting her matrimonial home.

     

    Nwachukwu was similarly accused of cruelly beating the children and recording their cry and playing it on his phone, noting that he threatened the children and prevented them from reporting the acts of domestic violence against their mother to his pastor, Dr Paul Enenche or any other person.

  • OSINACHI: FG Slams 23-Count Homicide Charges against singer’s husband

    The Federal Government, through the office of the attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice Abubakar Malami, has charged Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, for culpable homicide, contrary to section 221 of the Penal Code, which is punishable with death.

     

    Nwachukwu would be facing trial on 23 counts of culpable homicide, under sections 104 and 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

     

    The case was filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on May 20, 2022, by the head of sexual and gender-based violence, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Ministry of Justice, Yewande Gbola-Awopetun.

    Osinachi
    Peter Nwachukwu

     

    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 reads, “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.”

     

    Popularly known for her hit song ‘Ekwueme’, Osinachi was a lead singer at the headquarters of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja. Her death has raised consciousness on the reality of domestic violence.

     

    The “Ekwueme” crooner died on April 8, 2022, in a hospital located in Abuja. She is alleged to have died from health complications following years of assault.

     

    Throughout her gospel career, the mother of four kids featured in some popular gospel songs and some of these songs are “Nara Ekele” by Pastor Paul Enenche (Dunamis, Abuja), and “Ekwueme” by Prospa Ochimana, and “You no dey use me play” by Emma.