The Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court in Wuse Zone 2 has dismissed the no-case submission filed by Peter Nwachukwu, husband of Osinachi, the late gospel singer.
Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme, while delivering a ruling on Tuesday, held that the prosecution has established a case against the defendant.
The Federal Government had filed a 23-count charge against Nwachukwu, over the death of Osinachi.
After pleading not guilty, the judge ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje correctional facility, pending further hearing.
The prosecution had called 17 witnesses to testify during the trial, which commenced on June 20, 2022, and ended on March 10, 2023.
Osinachi Nwachukwu, who passed away on April 8, 2022, was initially thought to have died of cancer, but family and friends claimed her death was connected to assault by her husband, who was later arrested, and trial is ongoing.
MUST READ: Late Osinachi’s husband arraigned on 23-count charges, pleads not guilty to homicide
Counsel for Nwachukwu, Aliyu, proceeded to file a no-case submission, following the autopsy report by the National Hospital in Abuja, which stated that there was no mark of violence on the deceased.
Aliyu said evidence presented by the medical practitioners, exonerated Nwachukwu from the allegations of culpable homicide and domestic violence, praying for the court to discharge and acquit his client of all allegations.
The report listed the causes of Osinachi’s death as “generalised organ pallor; bilateral leg swelling; fluid in the sac containing the heart; tumour deposits in and on the heart, lungs, and kidneys; a massively enlarged heart; and fluid around the lungs that restricts breathing”.
The court, however, dismissed the no-case submission and ordered the defendant to open his defence.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
