Osinachi Nwachukwu was one of her country’s brightest stars in gospel music, but at home, she lived in fear. Her children and family later revealed the events that led to her husband’s sentencing.
In April 2025, Peter Nwachukwu, the widower of popular Nigerian gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, was sentenced to death. His sentencing was related to the passing of his wife in 2022. Here’s what we know.
What Happened to Osinachi?
On April 11, 2022, police arrested Osinachi’s husband following her death on April 8 in a hospital in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. Initial reports claimed the gospel singer had been battling throat cancer. Her husband—who also acted as her manager and was a pastor—said she had been suffering from an undisclosed illness.
However, her family and friends disputed this. They claimed the 42-year-old had been a victim of domestic abuse and had died from injuries she sustained. The couple’s four children later confirmed that she had suffered regular violence at the hands of their father.
The children explained that they remained silent because their father had forced them to keep his abuse a secret. People familiar with the couple described Peter as a controlling figure who managed all of Osinachi’s decisions and finances.
A police spokesperson confirmed that an investigation was underway, including an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Peter denied all allegations of abuse, insisting he was not responsible for his wife’s passing.
Following her death, many Christians expressed their sorrow and anger. Osinachi, who featured in the 2017 gospel hit “Ekwueme”—which garnered millions of YouTube views—had previously served as a lead singer at Dunamis International Gospel Centre.
In response to her death, the church shared a video clip with a publication that showed a sermon teaching, “It is better to be alive without a marriage than to be killed before your time because you are married.”
This message was originally posted by Paul Enenche, the church’s founder, on his X account in 2019. Speaking to the media and in interviews, Osinachi’s family revealed that they had pleaded with her to leave Peter, but she refused.
She reportedly believed that divorce was a sin and held on to the hope that her husband would change. Speaking to the local press, her sister Favour Made said, “She felt that God is against divorce.”
Made added, “We told her that separation is not a sin but just for her to stay alive.” Her family said she had been receiving medical care in the weeks before her death. In one instance, doctors reportedly found clusters of blood in her chest caused by blunt force.
Those who knew her in Nigeria’s gospel music scene described her as tender and unassuming. Sunny Pee, a music producer who had worked with Osinachi since 2017, called her a “beautiful soul.”
When he heard the news of her death, Pee said he went into his room with his wife inside, shut the door, and cried like a baby. He also accused her husband of being violent and aggressive.
The producer recalled warning Peter, saying, “The last time I spoke to Mr. Nwachukwu was in March last year and I told him: ‘One day you’re going to kill this woman. You’re going to kill her if you keep going on like this.'”
Paul denied knowing about the abuse until after her death. Days after Peter’s arrest, he paid tribute to Osinachi during a sermon, describing her as a “kingdom” and “generational” asset. He also sought to clarify what he knew about her condition before her death.
The pastor revealed that about two and a half months earlier, the couple had visited him. Osinachi had complained of chest pain and respiratory issues. He prayed for her and, when symptoms persisted, advised them to go to the hospital.
After she underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan, doctors recommended further investigation. Osinachi was referred to another hospital, where the condition of her lung tissue raised concerns. She maintained daily contact with the pastor, updating him on her progress.
However, one night she experienced severe breathing difficulty and had to be admitted again. Paul emphasized that he was unaware of any physical abuse and did not know if her symptoms were connected to it.
The pastor said he later asked Osinachi’s twin sister about any abuse. Her sister acknowledged knowing about some incidents but explained that Osinachi had begged her not to inform the pastors or the church. Paul also shared that Peter had instructed the children not to tell him about the abuse.
A music producer once witnessed a confrontation between the couple in his studio, but Osinachi begged him not to intervene. Paul reiterated the church’s zero-tolerance policy on domestic violence.
The widower of popular Nigerian gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu has been sentenced to death by hanging in connection with her death three years ago. Osinachi's death sparked outrage online and has drawn attention to concerns over domestic violence. https://t.co/YCK54D6L2b pic.twitter.com/rqY8lNsJ9s
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) April 29, 2025
During the first Sunday service in May 2022, a worshiper named Honest shared concerns about how the church had handled Osinachi’s death. Honest, a three-year member of the congregation, said, “I’m ashamed, it feels like they are trying to sweep this [Nwachukwu’s death] under the carpet.”
Ikaraoha Chinwe, another church member, said she would miss hearing Osinachi’s voice. Chinwe added, “Whatever she was going through, you wouldn’t perceive it on her face. When she sang it was like the holy spirit came down.”
Burying the Late Star While the Suspect Denies Any Wrongdoing
On July 12, 2022, Osinachi’s family posted a Note of Appreciation on her official Instagram account after her funeral. They thanked God for the successful burial service, which took place on June 25, 2022.
The family also expressed gratitude to Enenche and his wife for their spiritual and financial support during the difficult time. They especially appreciated the scholarship offer covering all four of Osinachi’s children from elementary school through university.
The couple also agreed to handle the children’s welfare and accommodation, as well as offer financial assistance to Osinachi’s mother. The late star’s mother revealed that Peter had once threatened Osinachi, saying that if she didn’t return home alive, she would return in death.
In June 2022, Peter faced 23 charges related to domestic violence. These included verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation, and culpable homicide—a charge punishable by death.
A high court in Abuja ordered that Peter be held in prison in detention while the investigation continued. He remained in custody and appeared in court in July, where he pleaded not guilty.
His children testified, and after cross-examination, they were discharged from the case. In 2025, Peter was sentenced.
Peter Is Sentenced
On April 27, a high court in Lagos sentenced Peter to death by hanging—the maximum punishment for his crime. However, it remains unclear whether the sentence will be carried out, as executions are rare in Nigeria.
Peter retains the right to appeal. Seventeen witnesses—including two of the couple’s children—testified during the trial. Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Stan Alieke, a Nigerian celebrity lawyer, argued in an Instagram post that Peter should have been sentenced to life imprisonment instead. He stated that the late gospel singer’s children still needed care and support.
Alieke, an advocate for abolishing the death penalty, said it would be unjust for the children to lose both parents. He maintained that despite Peter’s crimes, he remained their father.
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, Nigeria has sentenced Peter Nwachukwu to death by hanging after finding him guilty in the death of his wife, celebrated gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu.https://t.co/lZwPTFEufP
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) April 30, 2025
“This singer Osinachi case should be a reason why death sentence should be abolished. For the sake of their kids, they already lost their mom, it will be brutal for the kids for their dad to be k!lled [sic] too,” he wrote.
Alieke acknowledged that some might believe the children would be better off as orphans than living with a murderer as a father, but he disagreed. He concluded, “The man should be sentenced to life imprisonment so the kids could visit him in jail whenever they miss him. He’s still their father, let him not d!e [sic] too.”
BREAKING: FCT high court has found Late Osinachi's husband guilty of culpable homicide and has sentenced him to d€ath by hanging. pic.twitter.com/yFeukv8JnV
— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) April 28, 2025
Osinachi Nwachukwu’s tragic story is a sobering reminder of the hidden pain many endure behind closed doors. Her legacy now serves as both a call for justice and a plea to protect those suffering in silence.
