Late Osinachi’s Husband Commences Defence Against In-laws, Says Couldn’t Maltreat Wife He Sponsored Through School

On Thursday, Mr Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer, Osinachi, opened his defence at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, against the homicide and domestic violence-related suit instituted against him in connection with his wife’s death.

Nwachukwu, faulting the testimonies of his in-laws about domestic violence and deprivation, said he couldn’t have maltreated his late wife whom he paid her tuition fees.

He denied the allegations against him in the suit filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Nwachukwu told Justice Njideka K. Nwosu-Iheme that his marriage was peaceful, adding that the cause of her death was traceable to medical reports that showed his late wife had cancer.

“I am saying this for emphasis because a lot of people said I am doing nothing.

“I was into the property business, supplying iron rods to sites before I was arrested by security agents.

“I went for a church programme and I saw my wife there ministering in songs in Abuja; then she was in year 2 in higher institution.

“She told me she was the one training herself in school but wants to drop out because of lack of finances.

“I helped her finish school in 2007 by paying her school fees,” Nwachukwu added.

He said he had disagreements with his in-laws especially relating to funding the extended family and helping his wife’s twin sister’s husband to travel abroad.

According to him, Osinachi’s music ministry only bloomed ten years after their marriage yet he supported her.

According to him, problem started when their peaceful home was being intruded by his mother-in-law and others.

Explaining further, Nwachukwu said: “My marriage was peaceful, my wife is a peaceful woman. I cannot tell you lies. I married my wife in 2008 and she started singing to the world in 2018.

“After my first child, my mother in law, my wife’s twin sister came to stay with us. I went to work one day and came back, I didn’t see my wife and her property, my house was just empty; this was in 2012.

“I went to the police station to report and my wife later picked my call to tell me she had returned back to Enugu with our son on the directive of her mother.

“I put a call to my in-laws and they said if they see my legs in Enugu, I will be a dead person.”

He also told the court that while in prison based on the charge before the judge, his in-law sued him at a Magistrate Court in Gwagwalada, asking for the retrieval of the bank accounts of his late wife and his wife’s YouTube monetized account.

He claimed his in-law, while he was in prison, “went to my house and took everything I have including the studio I built for my wife; my two cars and landed property documents were taken.”

Under cross-examination by the prosecution counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imana, Nwachukwu was asked if he had the receipt showing he paid his wife’s school fees, to which he responded in the negative, adding he transferred to his wife to pay.

He was asked why he did not allow his mother in law to come for ‘omugwo’ (an Igbo tradition where mothers visit their daughters who just gave birth) all the time his wife gave birth to his four children.

Responding, Nwachukwu claimed his mother-in-law was sick during those periods.

“Are you saying your mother in-law was sick for 12 years when you had your four children?,” Imana asked again, to which he replied, “I don’t know.”

He was asked to show from his statement to the police where he called his mother in-law to tell her that her daughter had cancer.

“I did not put it in the statement but I called her,” Nwachukwu replied, denying transferring aggression against his in-laws to his late wife.

Video recordings were played at the instance of his lawyer, Abubakar Aliyu, showing Osinachi ministering alongside some of her children while her husband was dancing.

Another video recording was played showing the husband celebrating his wife’s birthday with their children.

Nwachukwu said from the video, it was clear his home was peaceful.

“Matter adjourned to 29 and 30 April for continuation of defense.,” the judge said.

THE WHISTLER reports that the court had on October 17, 2023 dismissed the no case submission application filed by the late singer’s husband against the suit instituted by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on June 3, 2022.

The court held that the Federal Government has established a case against him and he must open defence in the matter.

Recall that Nwachukwu’s wife died on April 8, 2022 and many of her colleagues in music had alleged that her husband maltreated her, leading to her death.

Afterwards, the Nigeria Police arrested Nwachukwu and eventually handed his case file to the OAGF for prosecution.

Upon arraignment, Justice Njideka K. Nwosu-Iheme remanded the defendant at the Kuje correctional facility pending the hearing and determination of the case after he had pleaded not guilty to 23-count charge bordering on domestic violence and homicide, among others.

Trial commenced on June 20, 2022 with the prosecution calling 17 witnesses to give evidence while eventually closing its case on March 10, 2023.