EXCEPT an appeal court overturns the ruling of the Federal High Court in Wuse Zone 2 Abuja, the husband of late gospel singer, Ms Osinachi Nwachukwu, could die by hanging. However, social commentaors are worried about the fate of their children and urged the government to set up a fund that would see them through school.

Mr Peter Nwachukwu was found guilty of homicide in connection with the death of his wife on April 8, 2022. Delivering a judgment on Monday, Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme dismissed Mr Nwachukwu’s no-case submission and held that the prosecution had validated the burden of proof.

Mr Nwachukwu’s case was brought before the court on June 3, 2022 over a 23-count charge bordering on homicide, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children and spouse, criminal intimidation of children and spousal battery, filed against him by the Office of Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF).

Nwachukwu’s lawyer, Mr Reginald Nwali, had asked for mercy, which was opposed by the prosecutor, Ms Aderonke Imala, who urged the court to apply the full force of the law and impose stringent penalities. The prosecution submitted 25 documents to validate her case.

Osinachi Nwachukwu was born on November 12, 1979, and died on April 8, 2022, in a domestic violence. She was a Nigerian gospel musician who became famous through her single entitled, “Ekwueme.” She was a songwriter with a great voice and a Christian worship producer. Her songs were done mostly in Igbo, one of the major languages spoken in Nigeria.

Activists react

Gender rights activists have commended the court verdict, saying that justice was actually served on Mr Nwachukwu. Founder of DOHS Cares Foundation, Ms Ololade Ajayi, told Punch that Osinachi’s death was a case of femicide,. She said the judgment on Mr Nwachukwu would serve as a deterrent to others still perpetrating such acts of violence against women.

“This sends a strong message to perpetrators who, one way or another, intentionally kill their wives. This is a clear case of femicide — violence against a woman with the intent to kill. It is rarely a one-off incident, but usually a pattern of abuse that eventually leads to death.”

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A gender advocate, Ms Chia Ndubueze, told Economy Post that “the landmark case would help to make men aware of the dangers of killing or hitting women, and vice versa.”

Fate of children worries analysts

According to Ms Ajayi, there is a need for the government to step in and support the children left behind by Osinachi and Mr Nwachukwu. “In addition, the government must make provisions to support the children left behind, helping them heal from the trauma. This is part of what we have proposed in our Feminine Bill currently before the National Assembly,” she said.

According to Ms Ndubueze, there is an urgent need for the community and the government to take proper care of the children’s education to ensure they do not feel the absence of the parents.

“I know that Osinachi and her husband have brothers and sisters. However, the responsibility of taking care of the children should never be left for them alone. You never know the financial capabilites of those individuals and we should never allow the children to suddenly end their education half-way.

“I have seen situations where children in this situation were eventually abandoned and left to fend for themselves from the streets. This explains why I am asking the government to step in through its Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to help see these children through their secondary and university education.”

A lawyer, Ms Mobolaji Adamu-Lawson, explained that the government must set aside a budget for families or children in this situation, asking the church not to allow Osinachi’s children go astray.

“I am of the opinion that it is now the government’s responsibility to take care of the children. But I am not leaving it for the government alone. Rich members of the society and the church must stand up and ensure that these children are not lost to the vagaries of the world system,” she added.