Justice Njideka K. Nwosu-Iheme of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has scheduled a ruling for Tuesday, October 17, regarding the no case submission made by Peter Nwachukwu, the husband of the late gospel singer, Osinachi. This submission is in relation to the homicide and domestic violence-related lawsuit brought against him by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on June 3, 2022.
Osinachi passed away on April 8, 2022, and allegations of mistreatment by her husband were raised by her music colleagues, suggesting a connection to her death. Following this, Nwachukwu was arrested by the Nigeria Police and subsequently had his case file transferred to the OAGF for prosecution.
Upon his arraignment, Justice Njideka K. Nwosu-Iheme remanded Nwachukwu in the Kuje Correctional Facility, where he pleaded not guilty to a 23-count charge, including domestic violence and homicide.
The trial began on June 20, 2022, with the prosecution presenting 17 witnesses and concluded its case on March 10, 2023.
The report on the deceased did not indicate signs of violence, citing the causes of death as medical conditions including organ issues, swelling, and tumor deposits. Nwachukwu’s lawyer, A. Aliyu, subsequently filed a no case submission, arguing that the evidence from medical practitioners cleared his client of culpable homicide, stating that the deceased’s death was primarily due to medical conditions.
The lawyer accused Nwachukwu’s in-laws of trying to frame him and challenged the credibility of testimonies from the deceased’s children. On Tuesday, Aliyu requested the court to consider his no case submission and acquit the defendant, while the prosecution urged the court to dismiss the submission and order the defendant to enter a defense.
The case has now been adjourned for the judge to make a ruling.