The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court at Wuse, on Friday, remanded Peter Nwachukwu, husband of deceased gospel singer, Osinachi, at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
Justice Ngozi Nwosu-Iheme, in a ruling on Friday, ordered that Nwachukwu remains in custody until the conclusion of his trial.
The judge ruled after Nwachukwu pleaded not guilty to the 23-count charge, bordering on domestic violence and homicide, among others, brought against him by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
She granted accelerated hearing and adjourned till June 16 at 12 noon for the commencement of trial.
Until her death, Osinachi was a lead gospel singer at the Dunamis Church, Abuja.
The prosecution claimed Mr Nwachukwu violated Sections 104 and 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015; Section 221 of the Penal Code; and the Violence Against Person’s Prohibition Act 2015.
Some of the charges such as culpable homicide carries death penalty, one-year jail term or fine (VAPP Act), among others.
In one of the charges, the AGF said “Mr Nwachukwu, 56, male, on the 8th of April, 2022, at Aco Estate, opposite police station, Lugbe, Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did commit an offence to wit: culpable homicide punishable with death in that you caused the death of Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu by your various acts of violence and aggravated assault with the knowledge that her death would be the probable consequence of your acts.
“Statement of offence: Emotional, verbal and psychological abuse contrary to Section 14(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same section of the Act.