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Tag: Osinachi nwachukwu

  • Divorce: Why the Heat is on the Church – By Michael West

    Divorce: Why the Heat is on the Church – By Michael West

    The uproar that greeted the deaths of star worship leader, Osinachi Nwachukwu, 42, and former banker, Chinyere Ogudoro, 47, allegedly due to abusive treatments unleashed on them in their respective marriages, apparently brought the Christian doctrine on marriage under scrutiny.

    The church is the Body of Christ on earth. It is the assembly of God’s people wherever they are located. Beyond the four walls of buildings and auditoriums, individuals that are truly born again are members of the Church of God irrespective of their sects, denominations, colours, races or languages. The church is the pillar of truth (1 Timothy 3:15), she is governed by the law of love (John 13:34), she lives by the doctrine of Christ (Mark 1:22) and Christ is the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18).

    God holds the institution of marriage so dear to Himself because the entire global population is the summation of family units. Nobody drops the sky; even Christ was born in a family to fulfil the law of procreation.

    The church’s doctrine on marriage is sacrosanct. Her teachings are aimed at protecting the sanctity of holy matrimony. The problem is that we dwell on the letters of the Word more than the Spirit of Word. Paul the Apostle warned that “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6). The carnal and mental interpretations of the Word do engender confusion, conflict of opinions and divisions along denominational sentiments. On the issue of marriage and divorce in particular, the letter is killing us! We need the help of the Holy Spirit through whose inspiration the Word was written (2 Timothy 3:16) for the rhema to unravel the mystery behind the knotty issues.

    The church regulates the conducts of her members through the doctrine of Christ. Marriage as an institution ordained by God Himself has the Word as its manual. Sadly, most of us, including seemingly sanctimonious believers, have violated and are still violating His rules and principles on marriage. The human failure gave rise to divorce! As rightly affirmed by Jesus, it was not so from the beginning. (Matthew 19:8).

    In view of the reality of our contemporary world, divorce, unfortunately, has become part of the marital problems we have to live with. It is true that God hates divorce. It is true that divorce is hurtful. And it is true that divorce is capable of truncating dreams and aspirations of people involved with their children as victims. However, divorce is still a preferred way out of abusive and life threatening marriages. Nothing could please God more than a divorce done in order to stay alive. It is only the living that can worship God.

    Osinachi’s death sparked an avalanche of criticisms against anti-divorce doctrine of the church. The reason was because many Christians have suffered abuses of varying degrees in their troubled marriages but the fear of stigma, ostracization and condemnation by their fellow believers and the church leadership kept them perpetually subdued until some died while several others developed serious health issues as a result. The question agitating the minds of rational thinkers and pragmatic believers has been that is it that God is satisfied with the plights of His children in marital turbulence, preferring their death while trying to keep to a religious dogma? Never! He’s a compassionate Father.

    Jesus described God as our Father (John 20:17). Therefore, no father will allow his child to die prematurely in a bad marriage for whatever reason. The essence of marriage is for companionship, friendship and fellowship. God’s blessing of procreation through which mankind replenishes the earth with godly seeds is embedded in companionship.

    It is obvious that the misconstrued doctrine against divorce is largely due to literal interpretation of the scripture which is based on the letters and not the Spirit of the Word; and this had brought about conflicting opinions. I have written in this column previously that church fathers should convey a solemn assembly where knotty and contentious marital issues like divorce, separation, polygamy and single parenthood will be discussed and acceptable decisions reached. We have the mandate to so decide as members of the Body of Christ (Matthew 18:18-19).

    When there was a disputation in the early church regarding circumcision, the leaders of the church converged in Jerusalem under the leadership of the Apostles of the Lord and the elders. The matter was debated and an acceptable decision was taken (Acts 15). Doctrinal issues are within the purview of church leaders to decide by the leading of the Holy Spirit. This challenge, I earnestly pray, that church fathers in Nigeria would accept to undertake. The Pentecostal movement under the leadership of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, can initiate the move for the larger Christian body to be involved.

    Before I conclude, I like to share a portion of my former boss and big brother, Bola Bolawole’s column on Wednesday while writing on the late Osinachi Nwachukwu’s death. He analysed the “putting away” (divorce) from the prism of the Spirit and not the letters of the Word thus:

    “This is the “putting away” or divorce that God hates: “For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce (putting away), For it covers one’s garment with violence,” Says the LORD of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously” (Malachi 2:16). God was talking more specifically to the man than the woman. The practice must have been prevalent then, as it is now, that men, when they have become wealthy or fulfilled, when their social status is upswing, they suddenly realise they need a more beautiful, more educated, more socially savvy, and more “lepa” wife to fit into their new social status. The wife of their youth, probably after a few children and years of child-bearing, no longer possesses the magical “figure-eight” or has become too old for comfort and a younger, fresher damsel is thus needed to take her place. God says: Do not put her away! That was the “putting away” that God hates; not a woman fleeing the evil of an abusive or life-threatening marriage. God did not condemn women to ‘stay put’ in an abusive or life-threatening marriage.”

    By the above analysis, Bolawole has logically brought to the fore God’s quest for justice, fairness and equity in favour of the first wife otherwise known as the “wife of your youth” against the selfish and oppressive tendencies of the men.

    In conclusion, the heat came upon the church because it is only Christian doctrine that fundamentally abhors separation and divorce. Likewise, by doctrine of assimilation, the faith discourages polygamy. Till date, the issue of polygamy is throwing up theological debate in the context of cultures, traditions and orientations of the contemporary societies. Situations whereby the church leadership and the laity impose punitive measures and stigmatize members whose marriages failed will further entrench the idea of enduring abusive marriages which could lead to more spousal murder cases.

    Jesus never judged nor condemned anybody. Even the woman caught in the act of adultery, He forgave and let her go. “I judge no one” He said (John 3:17 & 8:15). Therefore, let’s rally support, love and care to those quitting abusive marriages. Brethren in life threatening marriages should please cry out for help! It is our duty to love, encourage and support one another in times of need. The church should show more than passing interest in the well-being of her members. She should stop ostracising and stigmatising brethren involved in failed marriages. God is a Healer and Restorer of bruised, crushed and victimized souls. Unless we embrace the Spirit and not the letters of the Word, the church will always be at the receiving end of vitriolic criticisms. Shalom!

    • West wrote via

    mikeawe@yahoo.co.uk

    08035304268

    08059964446

  • Case of late Osinachi transferred to DPP- FCT Police Command

    Case of late Osinachi transferred to DPP- FCT Police Command

    The case of the late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been transferred to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, said Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja Police Command.

     

    The 42-year-old ‘Ekwueme crooner’ passed away on April 8, in an Abuja-based hospital.

     

    Following her death, her close friends/family members alleged that she died in the hospital while treating herself after her husband kicked her on the chest during one of his many physical attacks on her.

     

    Subsequently, her Husband, Mr. Peter Nwachukwu was arrested on Sunday April 10, on grounds of suspected culpable homicide.

     

    According to report, the case was transferred from the Lugbe Police Division to the State Criminal Investigation Department the following day.

     

    However, A source has come out to shed more light on the recent development. According to the PUNCH Metro, the autopsy report had been released, adding that the police would seek legal advice on the matter.

     

    The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, on Monday, said the case was no longer with the police.

     

    She said, “The case is no longer with us. It is now with the DPP in the office of the Attorney General.”

  • Osinachi’s brother reveals secret in Osinachi’s marriage to Nwachukwu

    Osinachi’s brother reveals secret in Osinachi’s marriage to Nwachukwu

    Chiemerie, the brother of the late gospel artist, Osinachi Nwachukwu, has disclosed why his sister refused to leave her allegedly abusive marriage.

     

    Chiemerie said that Osinachi refused to opt out of her marriage despite how toxic it was due to what people and her followers would say about her.

     

    He revealed that she didn’t want to be described as a gospel singer who is divorced and that’s why she chose to endure all manner of maltreatment which eventually led to her death.

     

    He went on to state that Osinachi hid all the harsh treatments she received from her husband, Peter Nwachukwu from him because she knew what he would have done.

    Late Osinachi Nwachukwu

     

    He added that Peter Nwachukwu was secretly dealing with his sister and she was actually dying slowly.

     

    He further described the singer as a quiet and God-fearing woman who’s very unproblematic.

     

    Speaking to newsmen, he said: “I know Osinachi very well. She is very quiet and God-fearing. She was going through all these and she refused to tell me because I would have known what to do.

     

    “She was just hiding all these things so people will not talk about her and say she is divorced. So, the man was dealing with her and she was dying slowly.”

  • Why Osinachi’s husband is yet to be charged to court over death of wife- IGP

    Why Osinachi’s husband is yet to be charged to court over death of wife- IGP

    The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has given reason why Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of the late gospel singer, Osinachi, is yet to be arraigned in court amid accusations fingering him in the death of his wife.

     

    Disclosing this on Wednesday, while receiving the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Kedem Tallen, OFR, in his office at the Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja, the IGP noted that the command has approached the National Hospital, Abuja, for post-mortem examinations on Osinachi’s corpse to ascertain the cause of death.

     

    The IGP added that after the post-mortem examination results, the deceased husband will be charged to court if it’s established that he is responsible for her death.

     

    Reports say the Minister’s visit to the IGP bordered on the plight of women in Nigeria, particularly in relation to gender and domestic-based violence.

     

    Reacting to the death of Osinachi whose demise triggered a public outcry, the IGP noted that the untimely death is heart-breaking, particularly as information from sources close to the family and independent witnesses fingered her husband, Peter Nwachukwu, as being responsible for her death.

     

    He stated that the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force, in whose jurisdiction the incident occurred, arrested the deceased’s husband at about 5pm on Sunday 10th April 2022 at their residence in Lugbe, Abuja.

     

    The suspect is currently in detention at the FCT Police Command even as investigations are still ongoing.

     

    Reiterating his commitment to ensure that cases of domestic violence, sexual and gender-based violence, rape, and other social vices are accorded utmost attention, the IGP promised to bring perpetrators to justice according to the provisions of extant laws.

  • Osinachi’s death: Apostle Suleman sends strong warning to church members

    Osinachi’s death: Apostle Suleman sends strong warning to church members

    Apostle Johnson Suleman, the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International has sent strong warning to his church members, following the death of popular gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Apostle Suleman gave the warning during a sermon in his church on Sunday, while advising women in abusive marriages to leave while they are still alive.

    Suleman chastised husbands who beat or maltreat their spouses in any way, stressing that there are some marriages that should break.

    He especially warned his church members against beating or maltreating their spouses, adding that if any wife should report her husband, he will gather brothers in the church to beat such man up.

    “All those women that their husbands are beating, don’t they have brothers? If they don’t have biological brothers, they have Christian brothers.

    “If you are in this church and you are beating your wife, stop it. If she reports you to me, we will beat you.

    “I will go to the police station and take permission before I gather brothers in this church to beat you,” he said.

    TNG reports Suleman’s warning is coming following the death of Osinachi. The Ekwueme singer was said to have died as a result of alleged domestic violence suffered in the hands of her husband, Peter Nwachukwu.

  • Frank Edwards reacts to accusation of having secret affairs with late Osinachi

    Frank Edwards reacts to accusation of having secret affairs with late Osinachi

    Gospel music minister, Frank Edwards, has finally broken silence after controversial journalist, Kemi Olunloyo, questioned his relationship with the late Osinachi Nwachukwu.

     

    Days ago, Olunloyo publicly laid a damning allegation against the singer via her official Twitter handle.

     

    Olunloyo had alleged that Edwards was having a secret relationship with the late Osinachi Nwachukwu.

     

    “Frank Edwards you’re STUP!D! Were you not Osinachi Nwachukwu’s secret lover? Of course, her own husband was “jealous” of her. Joy Nunieh should not be dragged into your foolishness. Joy is a real woman & strong one & she once slapped Akpabio for s*xual harassment. TELL THE TRUTH,” she said.

     

    Taking to his Twitter page, the founder and owner of the record label Rocktown Records, reacted to Olunloyo’s tweet with several laughter emoticons.

     

    Screenshot of Edwards post
  • Osinachi: We won’t make her autopsy result public – National Hospital

    Osinachi: We won’t make her autopsy result public – National Hospital

    The National Hospital, Abuja has said the report of the autopsy of Osinachi Nwachukwu conducted on her body will not be made public.

    The hospital management insisted the procedure is to make it available to the police.

    The surgical procedure to determine the cause, mode and manner of death of the late lead chorister of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, was ongoing.

    The Chief Medical Director of National Hospital, Abuja, Dr Jeff Momoh, said on a telephone, Saturday, that the report of the autopsy would be released to the Nigeria Police, which he said, made a request for the post-mortem examination.

    “The report is going to the people who made the request, it won’t be disclosed to the public at all,” Momoh said, refusing to talk more.

    Recall that acting on the demand of Osinachi’s family, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police Command, had requested a post-mortem examination on the body of the deceased from the hospital where she reportedly died.

    The family had alleged that the singer died as a result of domestic violence she suffered at the hands of her husband and manager, Mr Peter Nwachukwu.

    The accused, who was promptly picked up by the police, following the allegation, is undergoing interrogation in the custody of the law enforcement agency.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls that the husband had equally denied culpability, that his hands are clean insisting he was not the one that killed his wife.

    But his children during interrogation had alleged that their father was fond of beating their mum.

  • Osinachi’s twin sister reveals why late gospel artist cried in the video “Ekwueme”

    Osinachi’s twin sister reveals why late gospel artist cried in the video “Ekwueme”

    Grace, twin sister of late gospel artist, Osinachi Nwachukwu, has disclosed that her sister was in distress when she sang her hit song, “Ekwueme” and that made her cry in the video.

     

    In an interview, she narrated how husband to the deceased, Peter, threatened that his late wife would only leave the marriage in death.

     

    Narrating her ordeal with her late sister’s husband, Grace broke down in tears and rained countless curses on him.

     

    She explained that there was a night Osinachi and her newborn baby got kicked out of the house by her husband, not minding the cold weather, and her first son was the one who had to give her a cloth to wrap the baby.

     

    According to her, Osinachi was not a troublesome person and she inherited such nature from their father.

     

    She revealed that when the gospel singer gets offended, instead of an outburst she begins to cry.

     

    Grace noted that Peter threatened to separate she and Osinachi and fulfilled his threat, adding that he is unemployed.

     

    Osinachi’s twin sister pointed out that Peter assaulted and extorted her sister repeatedly when she is paid for her song ministration.

     

    She claimed that Osinachi was maltreated while pregnant and after child birth, noting that Peter pretended to be a nice person till he got married to her sister.

    Late Osinachi Nwachukwu

     

    Meanwhile, Osinachi’s mother also revealed that she could not see her grandchildren for 8 years and was never allowed to come for Omugwo (traditional Igbo custom for postpartum care by the woman’s mother).

     

    The distraught mother further disclosed that her daughter’s husband who claimed that he’s a Pastor separated her from her family.

     

    She further revealed that he never allowed her and her children to their house until Pastors intervened, and also pushed them out while she (mother) was sick.

     

    The lady further averred that Osinachi left her marriage for over a year, and only returned after her husband came with Pastors to beg.

     

    According to the singer’s mother, she told her a couple of times to leave, but Osinachi insisted on staying, insisting that the Bible frowns at divorce.

     

    She also disclosed that before her daughter died, she and husband went for medical checkup and were told by medical experts that nothing was wrong with her.

     

    Osinachi’s mother however accused Peter of making up claims of his wife being a cancer patient.

  • Husband of late Osinachi is an animal – Minister of Women Affairs

    Husband of late Osinachi is an animal – Minister of Women Affairs

    The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen has described Peter Nwachukwu, husband to late popular gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu as an animal.

    Tallen said this on Thursday in Abuja as she urged Nigerian women to speak out when in a marriage that is full of violence.

    While fielding questions from journalists at a world press conference organised by Women Radio 91.7 FM and Nigerian Women Trust Funds on “the Landmark Judgment on 35% Affirmative Action for Women on April 6, 2022”, the minister described Osinachi’s death as “appalling.”

    The death of the famous gospel singer had allegedly been linked to the domestic violence she suffered from her husband, Peter Nwachukwu. Though Peter had since denied abusing his wife, evidence from their children and colleagues of Nwachukwu had proven otherwise.

    “We are still mourning our sister, the lady with golden voice, who had suffered humiliation, pains til her dead. Women must come out and speak; all men and women of conscience should always come out and speak.

    “We call on neighbours where this act is being perpetrated to come out and speak. It is so sad that so many women are living in abusive marriage but are afraid to leave just because of what the society will say,” she said.

    Tallen said though she was not in support of divorce, where a woman was being subjected to all forms of violence, they should come out and voiced out.

    “Though she (Osinachi) is a twin, her twin sister cannot play her role. She is gone,” she said.

    The minister, who condemned Nwachukwu’s attitude to his wife, said it was until she spoke one-on-one with the deceased children that their father’s violent act was revealed.

    “Her story is appalling. The man is bad; I won’t even call him a man but an animal. Until I spoke with her four children who opened up that the father said they should not tell anyone of their mother’s experience.

    “I called the children separate and spoke to them. The first son spoke to me and opened up. He took me to the second child in another room and narrated the ugly experience too.

    “I have spoken with Mr President on this and he is committed and we will follow it to the latter. The I-G is also involved,” he said.

    She, therefore, called for quick dispensation of justice on the matter, saying “justice delay is justice denied.”

    “There is another case in Ebonyi where a man placed hot iron in a woman’s private part and you said you want to investigate. What sort of investigation do you still need?,” she asked.

    The minister, who described the late singer as “the breed winner of the family,” said her husband ensured she was cut off from her immediate family members to perpetrate the act.

    Her words: “When she sings, the man collects her royalties. But she goes out and comes back begging on her kneel. At times, she sleeps in uncompleted building. This is horrible!”

  • Late Osinachi Nwachukwu’s producer, Sunny Pee releases last WhatsApp chat with her

    Late Osinachi Nwachukwu’s producer, Sunny Pee releases last WhatsApp chat with her

    Sunny Pee, the producer of the late Osinachi Nwachukwu, has shared a WhatsApp chat confirming the domestic violence reports faced by the singer before her death, stressing that the husband of the deceased, Peter, was extremely possessive of her returns made on every song and show attended.

     

    According to Sunny Pee, Osinachi’s husband was jealous of her career and efforts to save the singer from the marriage proved abortive as she deemed it on herself to make her marriage work.

     

    While sharing the screenshot of their last conversation, the producer wrote; “So much to say about this unfortunate situation but this space is not the right place!!! When you make money and your husband collects all the money and leaves you penniless!

     

    “When your husband brings you to the studio gets angry and leaves you in the studio without even transportation to return home. I’ve personally told this woman to leave this marriage but she kept making excuses for the monster!

     

    “The last song we recorded, was our chat below! We were recording a song that she doesn’t want her husband to know. The last time I told her to leave the marriage, she asked me to help her talk to her Pastor which was difficult for me because I don’t have a relationship with him!

     

    “Before you say why didn’t we say it early, you can’t help a person who’s not ready to be helped! The last time I spoke about the husband on Facebook here, He went on his wall and made a lot of senseless statements!!

     

    Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu is an example of a typical Nigerian woman who always feels it’s their responsibility to make a marriage work even when their life is at risk! God Rest Her Soul.”