Osinachi Nwachukwu’s Husband Sentenced to Death by Hanging Nigeria Speaks Out
The tragic story of Osinachi Nwachukwu, the late gospel music minister whose voice blessed hundreds of millions, her death case took a final legal turn on April 28th, 2025, when her husband, Peter Nwachukwu, was sentenced to death by hanging by a Federal Capital Territory Court in Abuja.
This verdict, handed down nearly three years after her death, has reignited nationwide debates on domestic violence, religion, parenting, and justice with many Nigerians torn between viewing the decision as long-overdue justice or a sentence too severe, especially considering the fate of their four children.
A Brief History of the Case
Born on November 12, 1979, in Owerri, Osinachi Nwachukwu rose to national fame as a powerful gospel singer, known for her beautiful songs like “Ekwueme.” Originally from Umunneochi LGA, Abia State, she was married to Peter Nwachukwu, who doubled as her music manager.
On April 8, 2022, Osinachi passed away at the age of 42 in Abuja. Though her husband claimed she died from an illness, family members alleged she had endured years of physical and emotional abuse and that her death was due to internal injuries, reportedly caused by a violent assault.
Following a national outcry, the Nigerian Police arrested Peter on April 11, 2022, pending an autopsy. The case quickly became one of the most widely watched domestic abuse trials in Nigerian history.
The Charges: 23 Counts, One Verdict
Peter Nwachukwu was charged with 23 counts, including:
- Culpable homicide
- Spouse betrayal
- Cruelty to children
- Criminal intimidation
Despite denying the allegations, insisting that his wife had been ill prior to her death, the court found him guilty ultimately sentencing him to death by hanging.
A Nation Reacts: Justice or Generational Punishment?
The verdict has sparked mixed reactions online and offline.
Some Nigerians have hailed the ruling as a landmark moment in the fight against domestic violence, especially within religious and conservative communities that often discourage divorce.
“This is justice for Osinachi and a warning to abusive spouses hiding behind religion,” said Ifeoma Udeh, a women’s rights activist in Abuja.
But others, especially online, argue the punishment may further victimize the children, who are now effectively orphaned.
“They’ve lost their mother and now their father. Can’t he be given life imprisonment instead, for the sake of the kids?” one X ( Twitter) user posted under the trending hashtag #OsinachiJustice.
Faith, Fear, and Family The Role of Religion in the Tragedy
The Osinachi case also reopened wounds within church communities, many of which are being criticized for allegedly encouraging women to endure abusive marriages under the guise of spiritual endurance.
Reports revealed that Osinachi had once left her husband for six months, only to return after being pressured by religious expectations a decision that some believe ultimately cost her life.
What’s Next for the Children?
Perhaps the most haunting aspect of this story is the future of the four children Osinachi left behind. With their father facing the gallows, many are calling on the government, churches, and human rights groups to provide psychosocial support, education, and protection.
WHATSNEXTNG Thoughts: The Thin Line Between Justice and Vengeance ( A Legal Landmark or Moral Dilemma?)
The case of Peter Nwachukwu is not just about a court ruling it’s about Nigeria’s evolving understanding of justice, domestic violence, and the silent role of culture and religion. While some are satisfied that the law has taken its course, others worry that the punishment may create a new cycle of trauma for the innocent.
As the dust settles, one question lingers: Can justice ever truly be complete when children are the ones left behind?
